Turkey will face Austria in the upcoming UEFA Europa League one-eighth final on July 3, Beijing time. Before the match, Turkish player Kaplan was interviewed, sharing his expectations for the match, the team's atmosphere and personal goals, among other topics.
Kaplan began by expressing how much he cherished being able to play at such a high level as the Europa League. He believes that being able to have such an experience at this age is invaluable and that it will help them better understand the significance of the national team. Although he may not get the chance to play, Kaplan said that even if he sits on the bench, he will do his best to support the national team and cheer for his teammates.
Talking about the team's goals, Kaplan made no secret of the fact that they dream of reaching the final. He believes that although the Austrian team may be stronger on paper, the game of soccer is always full of variables and they are confident that they can make a difference in the tournament. Kaplan emphasized that the team has taken it one game at a time and they believe they can reach at least the semifinals and even go further. He believes that the Turkish team has the potential and strength to do so.
Kaplan was full of respect when talking about the leadership role of captain Çalhanoglu. He said that Çalhanoglu is not just the captain, but more like an elder brother to them, giving them selfless care and help. Kaplan revealed that there is a great atmosphere within the team and everyone is united to face challenges. They have learned to stay united in the face of criticism and focus on the game itself, fighting for each other.
Finally, Kaplan spoke about his personal goals. He said that the transfer from Trabzonspor to Europe was a major turning point in his life, while making the national team was a childhood dream. Now that he has won a title with Trabzonspor, moved to Europe and managed to make the squad for Euro 2024, it gives him immense pride and satisfaction. Kaplan hopes to help Turkey beat Austria in their upcoming matches and move on to bigger dreams in the Europa League. He believes that this is just the beginning of his career and that there are many more challenges and glories waiting to be conquered in the future.
