Zeki Çelik Shows Promise in Turkey's Match Against France; Spalletti Can Be Optimistic

Turkey lost, but Zeki Çelik emerged from the match against France with positive signs. The Juventus player stayed on the field for the entire 90 minutes in Vincenzo Montella's national team's 1-0 defeat to Les Bleus, decided in the 54th minute by Kylian Mbappé. Çelik played as a right-sided center-back in a three-man defense, facing a formidable French attacking unit. This performance, marked by sacrifice and concentration, should also please Luciano Spalletti.

France fielded Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, and Kylian Mbappé in attack, supported by Rayan Cherki. Consequently, Çelik spent much of the evening under pressure.

Çelik Starts in a Three-Man Defense

Montella's tactical choice is also interesting from a Juventus perspective. Turkey deployed Çelik on the right of a defensive line completed by Merih Demiral and Abdülkerim Bardakcı, with Oğuz Aydın and Ferdi Kadioglu on the flanks. This is a role the player knows well, further enhancing his versatility.

At Juventus, Spalletti has used him as a full-back, while with the national team, Çelik once again demonstrated his ability to play closer to the center-backs. This adaptability could prove very valuable throughout the season.

A Difficult Evening Against Mbappé and Company

The opposition was arguably one of the toughest imaginable for a defender. Zinedine Zidane's France boasts speed, technical skill, and individual brilliance. Çelik had to maintain high concentration throughout the game. The final score was determined by a single moment in the second half: in the 54th minute, Olise found Mbappé, and the French captain scored the 0-1 goal.

Numbers Favor Çelik

Some statistics from the Bianconeri player's performance are also noteworthy. One statistical analysis awarded him a rating of 7.1, with six out of seven duels won. These figures accurately reflect the nature of his game. Çelik wasn't expected to be a primary attacking threat. The priority was to contain a French side capable of consistently pushing technical players into the final third.