Portugal vs Slovenia: Roberto Martinez under pressure to avoid squandering another talented generation
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Less than a week ago, Roberto Martinez could do no wrong.
After guiding Portugal to Euro 2024 with a perfect 10 wins from 10 in qualifying, he secured opening wins against the Czech Republic and Turkey to book a spot in the last-16 with a game to spare.
But a 2-0 loss to Georgia last week brought Martinez back down to earth with a bump, and he goes into tonight’s clash with Slovenia under pressure.
Having coached Belgium’s golden generation for six years, Martinez knows all about having the weight of a nation on his shoulders. But, after failing to get Belgium over the line at major tournaments, the big question is whether things can be different for him with Portugal?
“The team seems calm, but the defeat against Georgia generated some concern among the fans,” says Nuno Travassos, a reporter for Portuguese newspaper A Bola. “The team doesn’t seem as sharp as it was in qualifying.
“Martinez led Portugal to a perfect qualification, and with a very pleasant quality of play, which is why he continues to have the confidence of the fans, although some games give the idea that [his] tactical versatility is too much, which unbalances the team.”
Martinez has certainly shown a desire to tinker at this Euros, moving between a back-three and four in defence, sometimes during games.
Players have been asked to operate in multiple roles. Bernardo Silva has played as a No10 and also a winger; Joao Cancelo as a wing-back, but also further forward in midfield.
Martinez’s willingness to change and tweak is perhaps born out of the embarrassment of riches at his disposal.
Portugal have probably the best squad at the tournament. Martinez made eight changes against Georgia, but his team still included the likes of Joao Palhinha, Joao Felix and Pedro Neto.
One of the players to keep their place was Cristiano Ronaldo, and his form is a brewing sub-plot.
For the first time in his career, Ronaldo failed to score during the group stage of a major tournament and kicked the turf in anger when he was substituted against Georgia.
Ronaldo is expected to keep his place tonight, but there are other players who could claim the spotlight.
“Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva are the brains that can catapult the team to another level,” says Travassos. “Diogo Jota could also prove to be a fundamental element in the second phase [of the Euros], due to the way he can complement Cristiano if he plays off the left.”
Portugal will not underestimate Slovenia, who beat them 2-0 in a friendly back in March and held England to a 0-0 draw last week.
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