Perfection is over with Roberto Martínez. About this game, there was little positive to take away
• Photo: Reuters
Someday it had to be and better than that it hurts. Roberto Martínez experienced his first defeat after winning the first 11 games in his era for the National Team, but this Tuesday’s test in Slovenia – the last before revealing the call-up for the European Championship – proved to be both disappointing and unprofitable for Portugal. Still, the defeat exposed some wounds and opens up space for reflection.
The first concern caused by the defeat against a lower level opponent was the mushy way in which the Portuguese team moved. Of the eleven that had faced Sweden, Pepe ‘survived’ and, from Diogo Costa in goal to Cristiano Ronaldo up front, a lot has changed. The team formed 3x4x3, with changes to 3x5x2, since Otávio, further to the right, sometimes joined the most advanced line, sometimes helping to densify the intermediate zone. Portugal started well, invading the Slovenian midfield with authority and audacity. With less possession, the home men were behind the ball line and were aggressive in the melee, trying to get out quickly to catch the Portuguese back, in immediate search for the two front strikers: Sesko and Sporar. Martínez’s team dominated, but did not even finish their attacks in a match that had very little or almost no practical meaning from either side during the first half.
To instill the missing speed, Martínez gave Francisco Conceição his first international cap and bet on António Silva. The central defender disappointed and in the 52nd minute opened the pass to Sesko – thanks Diogo Costa. The Seleção managed to produce more, created greater danger, but nothing was enough. Without their opponent’s arguments, Slovenia was, nevertheless, a more articulate team, which always sought to make the most of its moments in the game. As a result, he broke through the Portuguese defense well and opened the scoring.
Sparked, Portugal went forward (Félix shot at the post), but the awakening was poorly structured and even wingers Dalot and Cancelo broke down. And in a move that punished the entire national defensive line, Slovenia completed the punishment and made it 2-0.
This is without Bruno Fernandes or Bernardo Silva…
MAN OF THE GAME
Even without shining, VITINHA gave some dignity. He improved his performance in the 2nd half and was dangerous when shooting
PLUS SIGN
Diogo Costa avoided further embarrassment. Francisco Conceição started well in his debut and gave precious help… to defend
MINUS SIGN
Portugal without momentum and absent in the 1st half. The first shot came in the 79th minute. António Silva started very badly…
Someday it had to be and better than that it hurts. Roberto Martínez experienced his first defeat after winning the first 11 games in his era with the National Team, but this Tuesday’s test in Slovenia …
By Filipe Alexandre Dias
