Portugal supervisor Roberto Martinez was in a defensive temper following his workforce’s goalless draw away to Scotland within the Nations League on Tuesday evening.
After scoring in every of the Spaniard’s first 12 aggressive matches accountable for Portugal, the Selecao have since drawn a clean in 4 of their final seven matches.
Regardless of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Jota amongst different huge hitters beginning, they had been unable to discover a well past 41-year-old goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who made some spectacular saves after they did get in on objective.
Portugal registered 14 pictures through the encounter, although solely three had been on the right track, ending the competition with an anticipated objectives (xG) whole of 1.52.
When requested what was lacking from the efficiency, Martinez alluded to an absence of particular person high quality, significantly within the last third.
“A call, somewhat little bit of magic within the space. We had a number of need, we labored very properly with out the ball,” Martinez stated.
“It was a harmful sport as a result of we might have possession of the ball, however Scotland have no use to attain a objective. We confirmed freshness, however we lacked freshness within the final third.
“You even have to provide credit score to Scotland, they’d a number of gamers in entrance of objective, their goalkeeper additionally made a spectacular save.”
94′ RESULTADO FINAL
Empate no Hampden Park. #PartilhaAPaixão | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/Civ74KIvAd
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) October 15, 2024
Following the efficiency and consequence at Hampden Park, there have been additional questions on Martinez’s choice coverage for Portugal.
Essentially the most high-profile question of all stays whether or not 39-year-old Ronaldo ought to proceed, having had a troublesome evening on his two hundredth begin for his nation.
“The nationwide workforce all the time has an open door, however now we’re speaking a couple of very, very giant group of gamers,” stated Martinez.
“It’s a query of constant to attach and synchronise what we will do. Now the sport in Porto is to have a good time qualification in entrance of our followers.”
200 – Cristiano Ronaldo is making his two hundredth begin for Portugal tonight, 21 years and 4 days after his very first begin for the @selecaoportugal (v Albania – 11/10/2003). Legend. pic.twitter.com/77arLJ8WRP
— OptaJoao (@OptaJoao) October 15, 2024
Scotland supervisor Steve Clarke, in the meantime, was a lot happier with the consequence, which ended a four-game dropping run for Scotland.
“It’s not about turning a nook, it’s nearly working onerous and never letting the nation down. You may see that tonight,” he stated.
“The purpose was essential for us after the work the group put in to get off the mark.”
The consequence additionally marked Scotland’s first clear sheet since beating Gibraltar 2-0 seven video games in the past in a pre-Euro 2024 warm-up pleasant.
The efficiency on the again was one other factor that happy Clarke.
“Defensively sound, the form of the workforce was good,” he stated.
“We denied a number of house in behind. Good focus within the field, decided defending at instances, some actually good blocks, which you want towards sides like Portugal.
“Everybody contributed to earn the purpose.”
Regardless of taking an surprising level, Scotland are nonetheless backside of their Nations League group, whereas the draw means they’re winless in 10 matches – their longest ever run.
