Portugal are aiming to go three-from-three as they gear up to take on Georgia in their final Group F clash on
Having already progressed through to the knockout stages of the tournament, where they are likely to go through as group winners regardless of tomorrow’s result, there is an opportunity for manager Roberto Martínez to rotate his squad, with João Félix – who joined Martínez in Selecão’s press conference – is certainly hoping that there is a place in the starting eleven for him.
The two sides will meet at the Arena AufSchalke with the match kicking off at 20:00 BST [21:00 CEST] on June 26th.
What did Roberto Martínez say?
Despite entering EURO2024 as the lowest-ranked side in the tournament, Georgia have been entertaining the entire way through, and could have found themselves higher in Group F’s standings had only they converted a last-gasp strike in the dying seconds of their clash with Czechia, which, unfortunately for them, glazed over the bar.
Nonetheless, Portugal, and Martínez are aware of the threat that they pose, especially on the break, with the manager iterating that his team need to be ‘focused’ and win.
“The integrity of the tournament is essential. It is an important game because the result will decide who will and won’t qualify. Georgia have had a very interesting EURO. They could have beaten Czechia with the last kick of that game. They were very competitive against Türkiye. We need to continue to show the same focus and win.”
Having guaranteed their place in the round of 16, there is the expectation that he will make a plethora of changes as he seeks to keep his strongest side fit and healthy for the knockouts. But one player who will not be being rotated is goalkeeper Diogo Costa, with Martínez not keen on disrupting the momentum in such a ‘short tournament.’
“My team will be full of important players,” Martínez said. “Diogo Costa will be in goal because I don’t like rotating goalkeepers. It’s a very short tournament and we need Diogo to have a good understanding with the centre-backs. There’s no revolution: it will be a competitive team ready to win.”
One player who is hoping to make the starting XI is João Félix, with the manager hinting that the Barcelona attacker may be set to feature:
“Everyone wants to be in the starting XI, to play 90 minutes, but they also realise that they are still very important. If we want to win as a Seleção, we need everyone to help: on the pitch, off it, in training. João wants to play and he’s ready. He has put in attitude, work, commitment and I can tell you that all 26 players have been the same.”
One other player also guaranteed to feature is skipper Cristiano Ronaldo, with Martínez confirming his place in the starting XI after a ‘very consistent’ season at club level in Saudi Arabia.
“His season has been very consistent and he’s played every game, getting a lot of minutes. If he wants to maintain the competitive pace, it’s not good to stop now and then come back in six days. The captain and Diogo Costa are in the starting XI.”
While Portugal’s opponent in the round of 16 still remains to be seen, Martínez isn’t looking at probabilities of who they might face, and is instead focused on the ‘surprising’ Georgia, highlighting their counter-attacking ability as one of their key strengths.
“The focus is on this game. The opponents in the last 16 aren’t important to us: they will be important on the day of that game. Georgia surprised me. Getting to a EURO isn’t easy and they showed us a great lesson. They have a great counter-attacking ability and fantastic individual players.”
Martínez, a Spanish national, was asked about how he felt to lead this team, and said that he had learned so much about the culture of the country since taking over last year, and that he understands the responsibility that comes with such a huge role.
“I’m extremely proud to coach Portugal, the passion, the culture, what it means… I’ve learnt a lot about what the national team means to [Portuguese ex-pats]. I feel a lot of responsibility and I’m very proud to lead this team.”
What did João Félix say?
Joining Martínez in the press conference was Barcelona forward João Félix, who is hoping to make his first start of Euro 2024.
“I don’t want to set off firecrackers before the party, but I hope to be in the starting XI. I have the same faith in [Roberto Martínez] as he has in me. He has made a point of talking to me and I made it clear that I’ll be here to help the team when he needs me.”
But while the 24-year-old has the individual goal of being in the starting XI and feels this is his best chance of proving himself on the biggest European stage, the squad is 26-men strong, and ultimately, he knows that there is vast competition for places within the Portuguese camp.
“All 26 players want a place in the XI and are competing. It’s up to the coach to choose. For me, and for everyone who can play, it’s an opportunity to show that we can be counted on, that we can be in the XI and that we are here to help. It’s a good opportunity for everyone.”
Speaking on Georgia, Félix knows the test that awaits will be a tough one that will be a dogfight all the way to the referee’s final whistle, labelling the opposition as a ‘combative team’.
“We know Georgia’s strengths. We know what they do well and what they do badly. They’re a very combative team and they’re going to play the game to the last minute.”