To compensate for the losses of Matheus Nunes and Pedro Gonçalves, Roberto Martinez summoned Samuel Costa. Problem: he had sworn not to need an additional defensive midfielder, in addition to João Palhinha and Renato Veiga.
Roberto Martinez's media outings are increasingly criticized. And rightly so. The Spanish technician gives himself the image of the ideal son-in-law, concerned about the well-being of all and peace in the world, only to end up being nothing more than a bad guy. Just last month, he had already distinguished himself by his reversal regarding Florentino Luís. Indeed, after clearly implying that the SL Benfica player was not sure he wanted to represent Portugal, Martinez changed his mind, not by apologizing, but by affirming that we all had it. misunderstood.
This time, it's about Samuel Costa and the defensive midfielder position that the former Belgium coach turned it upside down. On November 8, when he announced his list of those summoned to play the last two League of Nations matches (against Poland and Croatia), the latter decided not to call on Samuel Costa. Questioned at a press conference, he then replied (after polishing his pumps): “ Given (João) Palhinha's current form and Renato Veiga's versatility (able to play in all positions in defense and 6), we didn't need a defensive player like Samu. »
We can possibly debate the level of this or that player, but we must recognize that the explanation given held up. Except that in this case of a few days, two Seleção players were forced to withdraw. These are Matheus Nunes and Pedro Gonçalves, two midfielders with an offensive profile. An unfortunate surprise for Roberto Martinez who had indicated that this international break would be very important for these two, in addition to Otávio, because they are “ second line players, who can arrive in the final third ».
But not enough to make a big deal out of it. Portugal has the luxury of having a large breeding ground and Martinez has hammered it on numerous occasions. The misfortune of Matheus and Pedro should then have brought happiness to players like Daniel Bragança, Fábio Vieira, even Gedson Fernandes. But nay. The great Martinez decided to take everyone on the wrong foot, to summon none other than good old Samuel Costa.
In summary: he does not include Samuel Costa in his list because he already has two defensive midfielders and he specifies that this truce is important for “midfielders who project themselves”. Two of them get injured. He therefore has the opportunity to replace them with two other players with a similar profile. In the end, he only took one, Samu, who is a defensive midfielder.
All is well in the best of all possible worlds.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
