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Euro 2021: Portugal in full doubt before facing France

2021-06-25T13:19:56.424Z


After Saturday's rout against Germany (4-2), the Portuguese find themselves third in group F before facing the Blues on Wednesday


Portugal, the reigning European champion, find themselves in a delicate position before facing the France team, in three days in Budapest.

On Saturday night, the Seleção literally exploded against the Mannschaft (4-2 loss), falling to third place in the group with three points taken in two games.

"The disaster of Munich", wrote this Sunday the Portuguese daily Record which targets a man, Fernando Santos, as the main person responsible for the slap in the face against the Germans.

The front page read "Fernando Santos unable to dismantle German tactics".

The local press criticizes the coach for not having been able to correct the situation while the corridors, occupied by Raphaël Guerreiro and Nelson Semedo, took water under the pressure of Joshua Kimmich and Robin Gosens, the left side of Atalanta Bergamo, elected man of the match.

Read alsoEuro 2021: against Portugal, the Blues will have loopholes to exploit

The question of maintaining Fernando Santos (66), coach since 2014 and under contract until 2024, is not relevant.

But his choices are disputed when he decided to renew the same eleven on Saturday as against Hungary (3-0).

“When you lose it's your fault, and when you win you're the best, analyzes the ex-international Costinha (53 caps).

Today, I read that it is the fault of Guerreiro and Semedo, it makes me laugh.

They were put in danger because tactically the team did not do the right thing.

I understand the public reaction, but I also understand Fernando Santos.

Sometimes there are games that you seriously prepare all week, but once on the pitch it does not go as planned.

"

"The midfielders did not have the ball and did not provide the necessary cover"

Portugal had not conceded four goals in the same match for 7 years.

It was already against Germany, during the World Cup in Brazil.

Costinha speaks of a "failed match" but for him, it is especially in the midfield that the Portuguese should have done better.

“The midfielders did not have the ball.

They didn't do the right coverage.

Danilo was not as good as usual.

Carvalho like Bruno Fernandes failed to counter the positions of Gündogan and Kroos.

They must press and play more against the Blues.

If you let Rabiot, Pogba and Kanté take the ball and throw themselves, it will be like against Germany.

"

Há que continuar unidos ... vamos dar tudo por tudo na final de quarta-feira 🇵🇹 @selecaoportugal pic.twitter.com/Ey7Pfxwfnf

- Bruno Fernandes (@ B_Fernandes8) June 19, 2021

The entry at half-time of Lille's Renato Sanches in place of Bernardo Silva was greeted on Saturday night, but it did not change the face of the match. Poor Rúben Dias and Pepe suffered waves and waves in central defense. They too have sunk.

A reaction is now expected against the France team for a match that Costinha describes as "difficult and decisive for both teams". Not just for Portugal. "We must support the players, the coach and believe in them," assures the former Monegasque who, despite the fear of premature elimination, remains optimistic. “France has Mbappé. Benzema is incredible up front, there is also Griezmann, Coman and Dembélé on the bench… She has almost three teams! But we have Ronaldo, Bernardo (Silva), Diogo Jota, Adrien Silva, maybe João Félix who was injured. It can hurt too. "

Source: leparis

All sports articles on 2021-06-25

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