Football Player’s Injury Shakes Up Turkish National Team’s Euro 2024 Chances
Last update: 21:46 05.06.2024
Turkish defender Ozan Kabak will miss the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany due to a serious knee injury sustained during a friendly match against Italy. The fears of a cruciate ligament injury have been confirmed, making Kabak the second central defender to withdraw from the squad before the start of the tournament.
The injury occurred just before halftime when Kabak clashed with Mateo Retegui and suffered a severe knee injury. An MRI scan revealed that he has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. This is a major blow for Kabak, who had a strong season in the Bundesliga and was expected to be a key player in the Turkish squad.
Ajax defender Ahmetcan Kaplan, who was not initially selected for the tournament, may now have an opportunity to join the team following Kabak’s injury. The Turkish Football Federation has confirmed that no replacement will be called up for Kabak, reducing the preliminary squad to 32 players.
This setback adds to the challenges faced by coach Vincenzo Montella, who has already lost two other players to injuries. Montella will need to make further cuts to the squad, particularly in the attacking department, as twelve out of the 32 remaining players are forwards. Additionally, a goalkeeper will also be dropped from the preliminary selection.
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