'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal and Arda Guler's Turkiye were the favorites to qualify from Group F before the start of Euro 2024. They are living up to the expectations with a win in their first games. However, the race for topping the group is still on and will be decided after the match between the two teams at Signal Iduna Park on June 22.
Trending
The starting XI of both teams have already been released and fans are shocked by the benching of Turkiye prodigy Arda Guler by coach Vincenzo Montella. Many of them have expressed their shock and concern over the surprise exclusion from the Euro 2024 clash X (formerly Twitter). Some of them are as follows:
"GULER BENCHED," exclaimed someone on X.
"Serious game and they bench guler?" questioned another.
"Why is Arda Guler not in the starting lineup?" commented another fan.
Several Portugal fans also mocked the exclusion of the Real Madrid wonderkid. They commented that the only person capable of competing with Cristiano Ronaldo's side has been benched.
"Not everyone ready to face the GOAT!!" joked one netizen.
"Turkey prepared to lose this game then," commented another.
"Why bench the only person that can compete with Ronaldo," quipped another fan.
Many fans further questioned coach Vincenzo Montella for the surprise decision in such an important Euro 2024 clash.
"What's the coach thinking arder in bench," opined one fan.
"This game u bench guler coach is not serious," commented another.
Instead of Arda Guler, the Turkiye lineup will consist of Yunus Akgun, Orkun Kokcu, and Kerem Akturkoglu in midfield. Baris Alper Yilmaz will be the solitary goal-poacher up front.
Arda Guler took Turkiye home with a superb strike in their Euro 2024 opener
Arda Guler was one of the major points of difference in Turkiye's Euro 2024 opener against Georgia. The Real Madrid prodigy got an impressive 7.8 rating on SofaScore and finished the game with a 93% passing accuracy. He was a menace for the Georgian defense on the right side of the field and was stringing short passes to constantly disrupt the Georgian formation.
The 19-year-old scored an immaculate left-footed curler when he got a smidgen of space just outside the Georgian penalty box in the 65th minute. The ball curled just enough to beat the diving goalkeeper and bulge the top right corner of the net.
Fans will be hoping for Guler to be introduced against Portugal so that he can weave his magical left foot once again and make a difference for the Turkish side.
