Portugal have won all six of their qualifying matches so far and are now one win away from qualifying for Euro 2024. That’s what’s at stake tonight (7.45pm, RTP1) when they host Slovakia at the Estádio do Dragão. In addition to achieving their earliest ever qualification, the national team can also continue their six-match run without conceding a goal. A draw could also be enough to celebrate, as long as Luxembourg loses to Iceland.
“There are no easy games and that is very clear. We won six games because the players had an exceptional attitude and commitment. This gives them structure which then allows them to showcase their talent, we know we have players at a different level .” than the other teams in the group. This does not mean that the matches will be easy,” coach Roberto Martínez said yesterday, looking ahead to the Group J 7th round match.
As for the eleven to use, the coach preferred to highlight the five changes he could make during the 90 minutes. “We have two very important games and we are looking at the 21 outfield players and the three goalkeepers,” he said, revealing that it is only certain that “Diogo Costa will play.” “Modern football is not the starting eleven and I am very satisfied with the work of everyone,” he assured, without revealing whether he will bet on Ronaldo from the start.
The captain was absent from the last meeting, when the team from the corners recorded the biggest victory in history (9-0, against Luxembourg) and also performed successfully. What is certain is that he will have to resort to adjustments, as he was left without the only left back he had called up: Raphaël Guerreiro, who, like Ricardo Horta, was released due to injury. João Cancelo is the leading candidate to switch wings, as Diogo Dalot and Nélson Semedo are less routine in the role.
And which system will you use? In Slovakia he used two central defenders and repeated against Luxembourg. Will he return to the center three? “It is important to be tactically flexible. We can talk about it after the match. I am very happy with our flexibility and I think that with two or three training sessions our players can implement different tactical ideas, and that is important for us. ” to prepare ourselves so that we can grow and adapt to what the game needs,” the coach replied.
“João Neves was born to play”
João Neves was new to the team and could make his debut. “I think João was born to play football, he was born to play for the national team. I have seen a very natural player, who enjoys every minute. I really like his energy, his professionalism and confidence. see him in the first training camp and this is a sign that he is a player with a lot of potential at world level,” said Martínez.
The Quinas team is one of five that can qualify this week, with four rounds still to play, but that does not mean that the group is easy or that the expansion of the European Championship to 24 teams makes the mission of the strongest teams easier . For the Portuguese coach, football is “very simple”, “a group of players who have a goal and a dream to win matches at international level” and the results are the difference between two teams. “We can be tactically flexible, have a good connection and defensive commitment… We are creating a team that can use individual talent. That is our focus. Then we can evaluate the qualifying phase,” said the Spanish coach, who did not do that. he feels like he has something to prove to the Portuguese.
Bruno until the 2023 World Cup
The place in the national team is becoming “increasingly expensive”, but Bruno Fernandes wants to be present at the 2030 World Cup, which is being hosted by Portugal, Spain and Morocco. “At that point the place will be even more expensive, but if I am in the right position and at a level where the minimum acceptable level is to be here, I hope to be there. Representing the national team in a major competition and in the country itself is very special. I hope to be there,” said the Manchester United player, one of the most influential players in the team led by Roberto Martínez, who will then be 36 years old.
Source: DN
