The game of Kobbie Mainoo by numbers vs Slovakia:
One hundred percent of the dribbles finished
96% of the pass accuracy65/68 completes passes4/6 duels prevailed.Two tackledtwo viewsOne interceptions1 main pass’
Portugal has to exhaust Slovenia in Euros last 16, advises Fernandes.
Although the Manchester United midfielder acknowledged he gets annoyed playing against defensive teams, he promised to come up with answers against the underdogs in only their second Euros.
аfter Pоrtugаl bаttled tо breаk dоwn а defensive Czech Republic in their оpening, Fernаndes clаimed pаtience wаs the secret. Slоveniа held Englаnd tо а gоаlless drаw tо аdvаnce third frоm Grоup C.
“Sometimes people don’t understand when we face such low blocks; there’s no space between the lines and if there’s no space then we can’t play the ball there,” Fernandes said during a Sunday news conference.
” Against the Czechs, we had to move the ball out wide and our objectives derived from two crosses. I was really annoyed about this.
“(Tomorrow) we must wear them down. Should we possess the ball, we will be more likely to reach our target.
Thоugh the Selecао were stunned in а 2-0 lоss by Geоrgiа lаst time оut, Fernаndes scоred in the 3-0 victоry оver Turkey in Pоrtugаl’s secоnd grоup gаme—his teаm’s greаtest perfоrmаnce thus fаr.
Veteran defender Pepe, 41, urged the players to be more focused ahead of the Slovenia fixture, who had advanced to the knock-out round for the first time earlier this week.
“Whatever Pepe said, we take it seriously; he is very experienced,” added Fernandes, who triumphed once for Portugal in 2016.
“Pepe is quite honest and transparent; he is quite assertive in all he says; nobody takes anything the wrong way.
“We have some things we have to improve; we have been working on it; tomorrow we have to present it.” The defeat reveals some of these areas.
Apart from misfiring superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who failed to score in three group games, Portugal coach Roberto Martinez rotated most of his team against Georgia.
Given the situation surrounding the game, the Spaniard stated the setback should not be regarded too seriously. Portugal already ranks highest in Group F.
“Let’s put the game against Georgia in context, our performance is a consequence of being first in the group and having six points already,” Martinez said.
“We need to learn some lessons from the game… if we don’t stick together and we’re not as intense as the opponent, if we lack the thirst to win then it’s not possible, since there are no easy games.”
Martinez expressed appreciation for Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek and his efforts with their national squad.
“It’s a shame we have to face them since I really have soft feelings for what this team is doing,” Martinez remarked.
“He is getting them playing like a (club) team; national teams you need to find the best from your players, with Slovenia he plays a system very well.”