As the Portugal-Slovenia match approaches, counting for the round of 16 of Euro 2024, Roberto Martinez was rave about one of the players in his squad.
This Monday evening, at 9:00 pm, Portugal will begin the second part of its European Championship. At the end of a generally dominated group stage, despite difficulties encountered in developing its game, the Portuguese national team will play the round of 16 of the competition, in which it will meet Slovenia. Before the match, the coach Robert Martinez was effusive about one of his players.
“His individual talent is essential”
The Catalan coach did not want to reveal more information about his future starting eleven. However, if the presence of Rafael Leo within the Portuguese composition may have been debated in the past, this era seems to be over. This Sunday, at a press conference, Robert Martinez spoke of his left winger with great admiration.
Starting against the Czech Republic and Turkey, before being suspended for the third match of the tournament against Georgia, Rafael Leao is in fact one of the first names that Robert Martinez should be on the scoresheet, as evidenced by the strong words recently spoken about him. “He’s an incredible talent”the technician first said, before adding: “I like players who enjoy one-on-one situations. It is the responsibility of the team to put it in the best conditions. Its performance will mainly depend on the way it is served.”
A successful start to the Euro for Rafael Leão?
While he has inevitably been one of the most dangerous Portuguese players in the attacking sector, Rafael Leao has not, for the moment, been very successful in this Euro 2024. Still looking for a first goal in the competition, the AC Milan player has nevertheless been able to impress his coach. “I was impressed with what he did in the first two games. He gave us a lot, especially against Turkey. I also love watching him in training. His individual talent is essential for us.”threw Robert Martinez.
After such statements, it is difficult to imagine Rafael Leao start Portugal’s next match somewhere other than on the pitch. It remains to be seen whether, this Monday evening, against Slovenia, the Portuguese international will be able to show more success than in his last outings.
Photo credit: IconSport
Alexandre Ribeiro launched the Trivela.fr site in 2019 and today runs it alongside his colleagues. Passionate about Portuguese football as a whole, and in particular the Portuguese national team, it is with all his energy and involvement that he brings this media to life on a daily basis.
