Overview
- Turkey enters the match in Bursa second in Group E on 9 points, three behind Spain on 12.
- Spain play in Georgia at the same time, leaving Turkey needing wins this week to keep any chance of the group title alive.
- Montella said the team’s task is to reach the Playoffs in Pot 1 and insisted Bulgaria is not a mere warm-up for Spain.
- The TFF’s betting investigation led to defender Eren Elmali being dropped, with Mustafa Eskihellac called up and U21 duo Ayberk Karapo and Isak Vural brought in.
- Spain’s perfect start with a 15:0 goal difference, including a 6:0 in Turkey, underlines the scale of Turkey’s direct-qualification challenge.