Portugal’s Euro 2024 campaign got off to a winning start last night, with a late show from their substitutes. But it was far from a convincing performance by Roberto Martinez’s unbalanced and chaotic side.
So, does the Spaniard know how to get the best out of this talented Portugal squad led by Cristiano Ronaldo?
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Tim Spiers and executive editor at Record Portugal David Novo to discuss.
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:29 Portugal at the Euros
00:04:04 Roberto Martinez & Portugal
00:07:50 Birth of Portuguese talent
00:12:19 Roberto Martinez’s management history
00:14:33 Portugal’s future
00:18:00 Cristiano Ronaldo
00:29:47 Is Portugal stronger without Ronaldo?
00:33:15 Are Portugal favourites for the Euros?
00:35:48 Outro
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#portugal #ronaldo #euros
23 Comments
Portugal played with 3 wing back and 2 central defenses, 5 defenses, 50% of the entire team, unbelievable !
For worst the coach adapt Cancelo to an interior middle fielder, and Nuno Mendes to central defense.
Cancelo do nothing of course in that position and lucky for the coach, Mendes to the job very well and participate decisively in the first goal for Portugal.
Losing the 1-0 the coach waste so many time to do the chages, 90 minute!
In the end Martinez save the day with lucky.
We shall see against Turkey if he maintains this aberration tactics with 2 adapt defenses or he put the best players to witch position.
Hes the definition of a manager failing upwards.
Very good podcast. Greetings from Portugal.
I'm sorry… Was I the only one that saw 11 190 cm players defending inside 25 meters, on a heavy rainy day for 97 minutes?
We got the three points, control the game for 90 minutes… There are thing to do better, but it was the first game under difficult conditions.. England and France were miserable as well. This portuguese narrative is getting crazy. You scared?
Well England was worse so…
Stop talking like complete ponces. Martinez is a clown. Not content with ruining one country's golden generation, Martinez is working on ruining 2. At least Southgate has enough manners to only ruin his own country's chance of winning a cup. Theres a reason why top clubs wouldn't touch these guys with a stick.
Portugal was far from perfect in this match, but truth be told, there were two absurd missed opportunities in front of goal in the first half.
Did nothing with Belgiums "golden generation" except play insipid slow predictable football.
Ronaldo was never selfish …. It’s just media narrative …
Ronaldo has to start. Especially when they are going to have the ball 70 percent. He is still lethal
Great show.
I've backed Portugal to win, reach the semi final and meet Germany in the final. I might cash out on the latter.
If he was a good coach he’d still be back in Belgium.
Tactically it’s a complete mess .Martinez doesn’t know anything about tactics. Useless
Martinez has never known what he is doing, that’s why he has never accomplished anything in his managerial career
no
People talk about portugal like the team got world class midfielders.
A bunch of midfielders either they play for crappy teams or they are benched in good teams
Portugal would be miles better if they knew how to cross.
This is not the Portuguese team …this is the Jorge Mendes team…not the best team.. but the team the big agent wants. Business business… this coach is there because he acceots this crap…but the vibe like this is not t right one… maybe the guys is so powerful and UEFA so corrupt that Portugal wins…otherwise i dont believe it
E um espião
Incrível como Tim Spiers conhece melhor a seleção que o jornalista português , que não disse nada jeito , talvez a linda editorial que representa lhe tenha posto uma mordaça , a realidade é que o Roberto Martinez complicou o que à partida será fácil , colocar os jogadores na suas posições naturais , colocar o Nuno Mendes como terceiro defesa central foi uma invenção made R.Martínez , ele nunca jogou no PSG como central , o Théo sim , insistir no Bernardo Silva que é um grandíssimo jogador mas está neste momento muito em baixo , fazê-lo descansar seria o mais aconselhável neste momento . Roberto Martinez , só lhe resta não inventar mais , a retórica dele em dizer que colocou aqueles jogadores para tirar vantagem no jogo interior e exterior é simplesmente ridículo , muito temo que contra a Turquia se continuar a inventar e a experimentar coisas , vai ter um dissabor muito amargo …
Portuguese overall sense with the starting 11 was a huge wtf. Feels like Martinez is overwhelmed with so many talented players, seems utterly lost.
He doesn't need to invent tactics or players, just put them in their position. Portugal weakest link is Martinez for sure, what a shame really.
and England once again turns in to Tottenham, being an ham that just talks how bad Portugal did on their first match… So there you go.. karma strikes fast.. go Tottenham the only club that plays Euro and WC!
It's evident that he doesn't know what he doing. He has seen too much of Guardiola's City tactics but he can't implement them so fast in the national team. He doesn't know how to put together players that could bring stability and effective control – not this bullshit of ball possession control without objectivity of last game – like Palhinha or Matheus Nunes witch is the only box to box that Portugal squad has. Another exemple is Bruno Fermandes playing too far away from the areas where he is better, he was never a 8, he definitely a 10. All together was a big confusion with a lot of players doing the same things without objectivity. With this Portuguese team a good manager could win it easily. it's a pity, but Martinez is not a good manager. But I hope he prove me wrong.