The Portuguese team is set to face Slovenia in the round of 16 of the European Championship. Ahead of the match, Portugal’s coach Roberto Martinez addressed the media, emphasizing that the team is well-prepared for the challenges and will focus on a solid defensive strategy to secure victory.
Martinez praised Slovenia’s performance, pointing out that after their loss to the supposedly weaker Georgia in the group stage, he has emphasized to his players the seriousness of the knockout stage. “I know how tough it is for a national team coach to lead in over 100 matches. Slovenia is a very cohesive team, like a club side. They like to start games without possession and hit with quick and sharp counterattacks, with players like Sesko and Spoljaric posing a significant threat. If they score first, it will be an uphill battle. We need to learn from our match against Georgia. This is Slovenia’s first time reaching the round of 16, so they’ll give their all.”
Martinez underlined the importance of defense, stating, “What matters is what we do, not what the opponent does. If we don’t match their intensity or have the same desire to win, it will be hard. We must control the game, manage emotions, showcase individual talent, and enjoy the match – that’s where our strength lies. This game requires patience; we can’t go for goals before we’ve solidified our defense, by which I mean keeping a clean sheet.”
When asked about Italy’s elimination, England’s struggles, and Portugal’s surprise group-stage performance, Martinez highlighted the uniqueness of each match and the role of details in determining outcomes. He said, “Every game is different, and we need to maintain our level. The Euros have shown that matches are decided in the details. In this context, what happens in other games doesn’t really matter.”
