Roberto Martinez says his Portugal gamers must be extra like Georgia within the Euro 2024 knockouts.
Euro 2016 winners Portugal had been shocked by the facet ranked 74th on this planet in Gelsenkirchen within the Group F finale on Wednesday evening.
Martinez made eight adjustments for the fixture, along with his facet 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 informed 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 move and in entrance of aim, and their goalkeeper had a tremendous efficiency. We tried to attain however couldn’t, and that made Georgia consider all of the extra. They deserved to win.”
Group F
Portugal, Türkiye & Georgia undergo!
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— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 26, 2024
Martinez claimed his facet had been unfortunate at occasions, however stated Georgia’s starvation proved the distinction.
“We tried to attain and at occasions we had been unfortunate. I don’t suppose it was techniques or gamers immediately, I believe it was in regards to 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 evening (8pm BST) and Martinez warned: “There are not any straightforward video games; immediately was an ideal instance of that.
“After we win, it’s not as a result of the sport is straightforward. We had a pleasant in opposition to Slovenia however it received’t be the identical on Sunday. They’re a nationwide workforce who play like a membership facet: very defensive, two very influential strikers and we’ll want to arrange properly.
“Dropping immediately will put together our workforce higher from a psychological standpoint.”
Anticipate the Portugal aide to bear little resemblance to the one which took the sphere in opposition to Georgia, nevertheless.
“It was the final sport within the group stage,” Martinez stated. “It was a day to present different gamers a possibility, gamers that we have to see how they’re doing and who can assist us.
“By making ready for the final 16, I imply particular person preparation; immediately we wished to rotate, to present different gamers some minutes and have the workforce be extra able to play the final 16.”
