Martinez laments Portugal’s ‘worst performance in two years’

Roberto Martinez mentioned the 1-0 defeat of Portugal against Denmark in the first stage of their quarterfinals of the Nations League as their “worst achievements in two years”.

Portugal struggled in the last third part in parks and has a slim shortage to overthrow Sunday thanks to the late goal of Rasmus Hojlund.

Christian Eriksen also missed a penalty in the first half, when Portugal came across 23 shots, nine of which were on goal when Diogo Costa recovered from a nervy start to keep his side in the draw.

For comparison, the visitors have only eight attempts to have 0.51 expected goals (XG), succeeded, in which Kasper Schmeichel only tested twice.

“It was our worst achievements in the past two years,” said Martinez. “During the game we didn't do what to do to play with the atmosphere and the aggressiveness that Denmark have.

“We need such games. There was a five -month break and we did not end up with the intensity we needed.

“The pressure of Denmark was very effective. It would have been very easy to play long balls and not try to improve as a team. We sometimes suffered and Diogo Costa gave us the chance to go with confidence in the second stage.”

Portugal dominated the property against Denmark and came at the top of their duels and won 34 to the 29 of their hosts.

While they saw a lot of the ball, they were sloppy with it and the possession lost a combined 103 times as a team, with six players who give it away 10 or more times.

Bruno Fernandes was unable to offer an attacking spark for Portugal and noted that this result serves as a lesson about what they need to improve before the second stage on Sunday.

“At the same time we have experienced a very experienced and also very young team,” he said.

“We are always aware of what we can do. It is not worried at all, but it is a lesson in what we have to do differently in the next game.

“I think it was a bit of a lack of aggression. We didn't get the best from the space where Denmark left us. Because we want the ball, we want to play, sometimes we make the mistake of playing too much and not to take advantage of the speed of Pedro Neto and Rafael Leao, one on one in front.”