Final test for the quinas team before the call-up for the Euros
The Portuguese team plays this Tuesday, against Slovenia, the last preparatory game before the final squad is defined. The match will take place at the Stozice Stadium in Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia, and will start at 7:45 pm Lisbon.
The quinas team will still compete in three friendly matches before heading to Germany in June, where Euro 2024 will take place, but will already do so with the final group chosen by Roberto Martínez, so today’s game should prove decisive for the Spanish coach’s choices.
Roberto Martínez made an extended squad, calling up 32 players, and choosing to leave eight players out in the first game – Diogo Dalot, Danilo, João Cancelo, Rúben Neves, Vitinha, Otávio, João Félix and Cristiano Ronaldo. After the defeat inflicted on Sweden in the last game (5-2), the coach returned the dismissed group, giving authorization to another eight to leave the training camp (Bernardo Silva, Rúben Dias, João Palhinha, Nélson Semedo, Toti Gomes, Rafael Leão , Bruno Fernandes and Gonçalo Ramos).
Matheus Nunes, with a foot problem, is confirmed to be absent from the team, which traveled with 22 players to Slovenia. Nuno Mendes also did not train on the pitch on Monday morning, but his dismissal was ruled out. On another note, Diogo Costa is recovered and should be the option chosen for goal.
Furthermore, the Seleção will step onto the pitch with a historic qualification behind them, where they achieved 10 wins in 10 games, scoring 36 goals and conceding just two in a single game. With Roberto Martínez at the helm, the team has not yet tasted defeat, but that does not mean they can lose focus against the 55th ranked team in the FIFA rankings.
Probable eleven: Diogo Costa; Diogo Dalot, António Silva, Gonçalo Inácio, João Cancelo; Rúben Neves, João Neves, Vitinha; Otávio, Cristiano Ronaldo, João Félix.
The figure: Cristiano Ronaldo. An unmissable name when talking about the Portugal National Team, the captain will try to do what he does best: score goals. In front of him he will have Jan Oblak, one of his favorite victims, who could increase his record against the Slovenian goalkeeper (11 goals in total).
What Roberto Martínez, Portugal coach said: «Before the final list, anything can happen. This is the last game before the list, good for us, to gather more individual information and then work on concepts. Show something of what we have already done against Sweden, and work on aspects to prepare the team for the European Championship. It’s an important game for us and for the final list. Being 23 or 25 makes a difference. But now the focus is: the very good work in training and tomorrow is a good opportunity to show that.”
Check out all the national coach’s statements in the preview of this Tuesday’s Slovenia-Portugal
After qualifying for the first Euro since 2000, Slovenia aims to continue its good results, and will have a great opportunity to do so against the Portuguese team. Qualified in second place in Group H, with 22 points (the same as Denmark, first placed), with 7 wins, one draw and two defeats in 10 games, the team led by Matjaz Kek has several familiar faces from Portuguese football.
Jan Oblak, former goalkeeper of Benfica, (he also played for Rio Ave, Leiria, Olhanense and Beira-Mar) is owner and lord of the goal, with Andraz Sporar, formerly a striker for Sporting and SC Braga, being one of the usual starters in the attack front. Goalkeeper Igor Vekic has already represented Paços de Ferreira, while the other substitute goalkeeper, Vid Belec, was at Olhanense. Finally, David Zec, a 24-year-old defender, was part of the Eagles’ formation.
Probable eleven: Oblak; Balkovec, Bijol, Drkusic, Stojanovic; Mlakar, Kurtic, Cerin, Horvat; Sesko, Sporar.
The figure: Benjamin Sesko. The Slovenians drew 2-2 against Malta in their last match, with Benjamin Sesko in the spotlight. The 20-year-old striker, currently playing for RB Leipzig, is one of the biggest prospects in the world, and Slovenia’s chances of hurting the corner team will pass by his feet.
What Matjaz Kek said, Slovenia coach: «Portugal is one of the favorites for the European Championship. We have to take advantage of the moments when we have the ball to quickly try to surprise and we have, of course, to defend very well and with a lot of concentration. We have to show that we are not just going to Germany as tourists. That’s what we want to demonstrate against Portugal.”
Matjaz Kek predicted a duel against the team from the corners
