Roberto Martinez says his Portugal gamers should be extra like Georgia within the Euro 2024 knockouts.
Euro 2016 winners Portugal had been shocked by the aspect ranked 74th on the planet in Gelsenkirchen within the Group F finale on Wednesday night time.
Martinez made eight adjustments for the fixture, together with his aspect already assured of ending high, however noticed their 12-match successful run relationship again to Qatar 2022 ended by the minnows, who solely certified through the Nations League.
“It’s a defeat,” Martinez instructed uefa.com. “We began with low depth, we conceded early and that’s what Georgia wanted.
“We weren’t clear-headed sufficient with the final cross and in entrance of objective, and their goalkeeper had a tremendous efficiency. We tried to attain however couldn’t, and that made Georgia imagine all of the extra. They deserved to win.”
Group F ✅
Portugal, Türkiye & Georgia undergo! 👏#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/z6pYkaXqMz
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 26, 2024
Martinez claimed his aspect had been unfortunate at occasions, however mentioned Georgia’s starvation proved the distinction.
“We tried to attain and at occasions we had been unfortunate. I don’t assume it was ways or gamers at this time, I feel it was concerning the energy and the depth that Georgia confirmed.
“We have to play at a excessive tempo, excessive depth. Georgia had been taking part in to be a part of historical past and we didn’t match them. They scored early then defended deep and hit us on the break.”
Slovenia are subsequent up in Frankfurt on Monday night time (8pm BST) and Martinez warned: “There are not any straightforward video games; at this time was an ideal instance of that.
“After we win, it’s not as a result of the sport is simple. We had a pleasant in opposition to Slovenia however it gained’t be the identical on Sunday. They’re a nationwide workforce who play like a membership aspect: very defensive, two very influential strikers and we’ll want to organize properly.
“Shedding at this time will put together our workforce higher from a psychological standpoint.”
Count on the Portugal aide to bear little resemblance to the one which took the sphere in opposition to Georgia, nonetheless.
“It was the final sport within the group stage,” Martinez mentioned. “It was a day to provide different gamers a possibility, gamers that we have to see how they’re doing and who might help us.
“By making ready for the final 16, I imply particular person preparation; at this time we needed to rotate, to provide different gamers some minutes and have the workforce be extra able to play the final 16.”
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