Roberto Martinez is assured Portugal’s defeat to Georgia on Wednesday was good preparation for the knockout stage at Euro 2024.
Portugal had already made certain of high spot in Group F, though the consequence towards Georgia would influence the id of their opponents within the final 16.
With Georgia 2-0 winners and advancing to the following spherical, Hungary had been eradicated, leaving the Selecao to face Slovenia, who handed Martinez his first defeat within the job in a pleasant in March.
This was now his first aggressive loss, however the former Belgium coach believes Portugal are in a greater place because of this.
“We made loads of adjustments. The main target was on getting ready all of the gamers,” Martinez mentioned. “Now we’re extra ready.
“We had gamers on the bench right this moment that we didn’t wish to use, as a result of we had been first within the group and the aim was achieved.
“It’s a tough option to put together for the following sport, as a result of we don’t wish to lose. It’s the primary official sport we’ve misplaced. However we’re prepared now.”
Group F
Portugal, Türkiye & Georgia undergo! #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/z6pYkaXqMz
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 26, 2024
Martinez acknowledged the problem of going through a group in Georgia who so desperately wanted to win, going through elimination with out victory.
“It was a day once we didn’t have the identical depth because the opponent,” he mentioned. “For Georgia, this was a closing; for us, it was one step earlier than the spherical of 16. That was a part of the ultimate consequence.”
Even in defeat, winger Pedro Neto was assured Portugal confirmed they’re a match for any group within the match, suggesting solely the host nation have rivalled the Selecao thus far.
“We go to each sport to win,” he mentioned. “We’re assured as a result of to at the present time I don’t bear in mind a group, aside from Germany, that performed in addition to us. We’re prepared for the following sport.”
