He grew up in the second half on a night to forget (or remember…) the National Team; Dalot from the first 45′ deserved more; Diogo Costa conceded two goals but avoided another penalty
The figure – Vitinha (6)
He moved to the left when João Cancelo appeared in the interior zone and that was a constant throughout the first half, curiously the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder’s worst moment. He grew in the second half, from the core, trying more often to lead the team in progression and quality. That, however, was never much… In the second 45′ and for having made the first shot on goal with the possibility of a goal (the ball to the post from Félix did not force Oblak to save…) in the 79th minute (!), It was the least bad night to forget (or remember…).
Diogo Costa (6) — False start at 20′, but Sporar couldn’t hit the goal. I hoped there wouldn’t be much work, I didn’t count on that second half… Before, at 37′, he held a ball that could have been treacherous and in the first 45′ he left the area hurriedly to kick the ball that Sporar would reach to score. isolate. At 52′, he solved the problem that António Silva created when he lost the ball in midfield: Sesko shot, but the Portuguese goalkeeper saved it.
Pepe (5) — To the right of the trio with the team in an offensive moment, accompanying Gonçalo Inácio in a pair in the defensive moment. He left at half-time without compromising.
Danilo Pereira (5) — When the Seleção attacked, he was the man in the middle of the defense trio; when he defended, he was ahead of Pepe and Inácio, always with one of Slovenia’s offensive references on the leash. At 76′ he went up the pitch, tried his luck but shot over the top.
Gonçalo Inácio (5) — As at Sporting: he was the furthest to the left of the central defenders, in a trio or duo. Less than at Sporting: the shots he tried to add depth to the game. He doesn’t come out free in the 0-2 game, due to a lack of aggression.
Diogo Dalot (6) — Designed on the right wing, in the 10th minute he had already been asked to sprint twice to grab the ball in depth and then look for the striker in the area. At 22′ he had to put in the effort to prevent a Slovenian from isolating himself, the emergency room arrived in time. At 27′ he discovered Vitinha in the area, but the midfielder got lost in a feint and was unable to finish. He had the goal at his feet, but threw it over (69′), in a 2nd half in which he lost his production.
Octavio (4) — He never managed to get into the game, nor give him speed nor pick him up by the brains. She left at halftime.
Rúben Neves (4) — He suffered from the same illness as Otávio, he was better in the move in which he placed the ball, squarely, on Félix’s head, who shot it at the post (75′).
João Cancelo (5) — On the left he also started looking for more interior areas, from where he could see someone to place the ball — sometimes even Dalot, on the other flank. And on the other flank of the field he went, crossing the pitch to create imbalances, a surprise to try to confuse the opponent — like at 32′, it’s a shame Félix didn’t follow up. In 45′ seconds…he disappeared.
João Félix (5) — In the build-up, he often retreated to João Cancelo, the one who looked for more interior terrain, forming a duo to help take the game to the attack. But never successfully. He shot over the top at 32′, completing the excellent combination between Dalot and Cancelo, all to the right — it was Portugal’s first shot. Only at 60′ did he show his grace, winning the ball and completing the play with a strong shot that went wide. At the post he shot at 75′ and at 88′ over the top.
Cristiano Ronaldo (5) — In the 17th minute he rose higher than everyone else, only he can do that, but not in attack, but in defense, clearing the danger, with a header, when Slovenia tried to bother him following a free-kick. With no opportunities to shine in the first 45′, it was only in the 87th minute that Oblak was forced to defend a free kick.
Antonio Silva (4) — He got the job done in the 52nd minute by losing the ball where he couldn’t, earning him, and above all Portugal, Diogo Costa’s save. He committed the first goal, when he failed to intercept.
Francisco Conceição (5) — He seemed to have the determination and speed that Portugal lacked in the first half, but it was never intense determination or furious speed. At 71′ he was forced to go down to the Portuguese area, took the risk and cut the ball at the exact moment.
João Neves (-) — He came on in the 89th minute, with no time to show anything.
Jota Silva (-) — As João Neves entered at 89′, it served to say that he already has two caps.
