“Sometimes players have to be beaten, then comforted!”

• Turkey – Romania will be played on March 26, from 19:00, match broadcast by Prima TV. If we win, we play the final for qualification against Slovakia/Kosovo on 31 March 2026

• Gazeta Sporturilor will have 6 experienced reporters in Istanbul, who will send the most important information, the hottest reports and a series of multimedia correspondence.

For us, as for us, but also for the Turks, there is as much pressure as Istanbul in view of Thursday's game at the BJK Stadium. It's the play-off semi-final, and our opponents don't plan to lose.

Especially since the Turks haven't been to a World Championship since 2002, when they also made history. The first World Cup we missed after the Golden Generation represented a real triumph for our rivals on Thursday. The Turkish national team took 3rd place then with an exceptional generation.

Maximum pressure on Vincenzo Montella and his students: “Absolutely, it would be a drama to lose. And there would be huge changes. The Turks must be taken either hard or gently”

Now, the national team coached by Italian Vincenzo Montella and featuring the likes of Yildiz, Calhanoglu and Arda Guler are dreaming of another memorable final tournament. But the pressure is huge in Istanbul.

Semih Usta was sports director at Beşiktaş for more than a decade. He also worked a little with Mircea Lucescu, the current selector of the tricolors, he also knows very well Daniel Pancu, the current coach from CFR Cluj, whom he sees in the future preparing the “eagles” team on the shores of the Bosphorus (details here).

In an interview with Gazeta Sporturilor, Semih, currently a player agent, explained why the Turkey-Romania match on Thursday is capital for Montella and company.

“The Turkish team would not be considered a successful national team if they didn't make it to the World Cup. If they only end up in this play-off. And get eliminated. They have to make it to the World Cup. Even a win against Romania wouldn't be enough if they don't go to the World Cup. I mean, they should also win the match on March 30. We're talking about a game (with Romania) that is essential for Montella's future.

Vincenzo Montella was in Milan last month to visit Inter and had a conversation with Hakan Calhanoglu

(Would it be a tragedy, a drama, if you don't beat Romania?) Absolutely. And I think that's the mentality of the players as well. I don't think he'll be out of the final tournament. And there would be big changes if we don't win.

(Is the pressure maxed out?) Yes, definitely. I am sure that no one from the national team thinks that it will be easy with Romania. Everyone knows we have a chance, but we will not underestimate the opponent.

Sometimes you have to beat the Turkish players! Put pressure on them, then comfort them. They must be taken either harder or with delicacy”, commented Semih Usta.

3WC final tournaments Turkey has in its records: 1950, 1954 and 2002

Semih Usta, portrait of Mircea Lucescu: “He gave wings to those he trained”

“Mircea Lucescu is seen in Turkey as a father, experienced, an idol. He never put pressure on the players. Yes, he always demanded the maximum from them, he disciplined them, that is a great quality of his, discipline. During the two years I spent in Beşiktaş, while he was there, I got to know him.

They have had great coaches, Del Bosque, Tigana, Bilic, but I can say that Mircea Lucescu was the best. Performances made with a team that was not necessarily the best.

We cannot deny his contribution, how to say, the courage to raise young people, from giving wings to those he coached to the Turkish national team (n.ed. Lucescu led the Turkish national team between August 2017 and February 2019). Although he was criticized at the time. But it was a good investment, and now we are reaping the fruits,” the Turk added.

I think Mister Lucescu did Romania a favor. And he has nothing left to prove. He wanted to help his country. He has nothing to prove! OK, people criticize. After all, it's not your game. Mystery motivates them. It seems to me that he has not aged at all in 20 years. Serious. I see him in interviews, I watch him now. I wish him all the best in the world and maximum health

– Semih Usta, former sports director of Beşiktaş and current player agent