The national team coach says that the 0-0 draw against Colombia will help Portugal “get where they want to go”, and referred to the clash as a “very valuable test”.
In a quick interview with Sport TV after the goalless draw against Colombia, Roberto Martínez said that Portugal showed “a lot of character to keep a clean sheet”, praising Diogo Costa’s “fantastic” performances and “defensive intensity”.
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The national team coach also emphasized that the match was “a valuable test” and “important for adaptation and development – because what the team has to do in the World Cup to come is completely different.” Portugal will face Croatia in the last eight.
“We really needed this, to take the game where we wanted to go. We have to have more ball and take advantage of the players with that ability,” he stressed.
South American teams are used to brutal battles
Regarding the intensity of the match, Martínez opined that “South American teams are already used to playing games with a lot of interruptions”. He also referred to the “demanding weather conditions” in Miami.
“We have already used 22 players,” he said, referring to the fact that only José Sá, Rui Silva, Gonçalo Inácio and Gonçalo Guedes have not yet been given playing time.
“For us, it was important to use a lot of players – 22 have already played, and that’s important,” he assumed.
“Cristiano is physically fit”
About Cristiano Ronaldo, the coach explained why he was used for 90 minutes again:
“For us, it’s very important to synchronize his movements with the other ten players. Cristiano is physically in good shape, and today he was very good.
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