Portugal supervisor Roberto Martinez was in a defensive temper following his workforce’s goalless draw away to Scotland within the Nations League on Tuesday evening.
After scoring in every of the Spaniard’s first 12 aggressive matches accountable for Portugal, the Selecao have since drawn a clean in 4 of their final seven matches.
Regardless of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Jota amongst different large hitters beginning, they had been unable to discover a well beyond 41-year-old goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who made some spectacular saves once they did get in on objective.
Portugal registered 14 pictures in the course of the encounter, although solely three had been on course, ending the competition with an anticipated targets (xG) whole of 1.52.
When requested what was lacking from the efficiency, Martinez alluded to a scarcity of particular person high quality, notably within the closing third.
“A choice, slightly little bit of magic within the space. We had quite a lot of want, we labored very properly with out the ball,” Martinez mentioned.
“It was a harmful recreation as a result of we might have possession of the ball, however Scotland have no need to attain a objective. We confirmed freshness, however we lacked freshness within the final third.
“You even have to offer credit score to Scotland, they’d quite a lot of gamers in entrance of objective, their goalkeeper additionally made a spectacular save.”
94′ RESULTADO FINAL
Empate no Hampden Park. #PartilhaAPaixão | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/Civ74KIvAd
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) October 15, 2024
Following the efficiency and end result at Hampden Park, there have been additional questions on Martinez’s choice coverage for Portugal.
Probably the most high-profile question of all stays whether or not 39-year-old Ronaldo ought to proceed, having had a tough evening on his 2 hundredth begin for his nation.
“The nationwide workforce all the time has an open door, however now we’re speaking a couple of very, very massive group of gamers,” mentioned Martinez.
“It’s a query of continuous to attach and synchronise what we are able to do. Now the sport in Porto is to rejoice qualification in entrance of our followers.”
200 – Cristiano Ronaldo is making his 2 hundredth begin for Portugal tonight, 21 years and 4 days after his very first begin for the @selecaoportugal (v Albania – 11/10/2003). Legend. pic.twitter.com/77arLJ8WRP
— OptaJoao (@OptaJoao) October 15, 2024
Scotland supervisor Steve Clarke, in the meantime, was a lot happier with the end result, which ended a four-game shedding run for Scotland.
“It’s not about turning a nook, it’s nearly working onerous and never letting the nation down. You possibly can see that tonight,” he mentioned.
“The purpose was necessary for us after the work the group put in to get off the mark.”
The end result additionally marked Scotland’s first clear sheet since beating Gibraltar 2-0 seven video games in the past in a pre-Euro 2024 warm-up pleasant.
The efficiency on the again was one other factor that happy Clarke.
“Defensively sound, the form of the workforce was good,” he mentioned.
“We denied quite a lot of area in behind. Good focus within the field, decided defending at occasions, some actually good blocks, which you want towards sides like Portugal.
“Everybody contributed to earn the purpose.”
Regardless of taking an surprising level, Scotland are nonetheless backside of their Nations League group, whereas the draw means they’re winless in 10 matches – their longest ever run.
