Portugal’s head coach, Roberto Martinez, has expressed his delight over the squad’s progression and depth following their departure from Euro 2024. This optimism follows a commanding 3-1 victory over Poland on Saturday, keeping their perfect start in the Nations League intact.
In a match dominated by Portugal, stars Bernardo Silva and Cristiano Ronaldo put the visitors ahead with two goals before halftime. Poland managed to reduce the deficit through Piotr Zielinski, but an unfortunate own goal by Jan Bednarek sealed the game at 3-1 for the Portuguese.
After a heartbreaking exit from the European Championships where they lost to France on penalties in the quarter-finals, Martinez emphasized that the team’s focus is now fully on preparing for the 2026 World Cup.
“We have a larger pool of players now, and the competition within the squad is increasing. We are better prepared as a team than we were after the European Championship,” Martinez declared in an interview with RTP3.
He further stated, “Our main objective is the World Cup. I’m pleased with the players’ attitude; they showed tremendous personality in what was a challenging venue. This performance means a lot to us. While we want to minimize conceding goals, I believe our overall display was very strong. We’re witnessing new talents making debuts and integrating seamlessly into the squad.”
Portugal currently leads League A Group One with nine points, sitting three points ahead of Croatia.
Since taking over in January 2023, Martinez has faced criticism for heavily relying on superstar Ronaldo. However, he made the strategic decision to substitute the 39-year-old forward in the 63rd minute against Poland.
“It’s crucial to manage our players wisely, especially with two matches in 72 hours,” Martinez explained. “Diogo Jota came on to contribute significantly. We need to utilize the talents available on our bench. Cristiano is in excellent shape right now.”
The Spanish tactician also introduced new faces in the squad, with Renato Veiga and Samuel Costa earning their first caps against Poland. Veiga, a new Chelsea recruit, featured as a central defender alongside Ruben Dias, while Costa, a surprise addition, was introduced in the dying minutes to replace Silva.
Martinez praised Veiga’s professionalism and aggression, saying, “The rapport he developed with Ruben Dias was impressive. Debuting against one of football’s top penalty area specialists, Robert Lewandowski, makes this debut even more meaningful. I’m also satisfied with Samu, (Francisco) Trincao, and all the newcomers who performed admirably. They have shown they belong to this squad.”
Stay tuned for more updates on Portugal’s journey in the UEFA Nations League.
Related News :