Portugal Coach Fernando Santos admits Italy caused them “enormous problems and it was much more difficult than I expected.”
They only needed a point to be sure of topping the Nations League group and making it into the Final Four, which is what they achieved in a 0-0 draw at San Siro.
“We were made to suffer for the point. If I’d had a blood pressure machine on, there might’ve been problems…” confessed Santos in his Press conference.
“I thought it was going to be a great game, as we have similar playing styles, but we had enormous problems. I thought it would overall be more like the second half performance.
“This was not our plan to sit back, but the situation was created by Italy forcing us back. This is an experience that will help us to grow and mature.
“I could’ve put on a quicker player in the final minutes and go for the win, but there was the risk of conceding on the counter-attack, so Danilo gave us more solidity and it went well. It’s a very satisfying result, as we showed the quality of Portuguese football.
“It was a very difficult match, much more difficult than I expected. We struggled to defend, as when we’re not well-organised, we can’t build any forward moves. That is down to Italy, as we knew they’d control the game and try to pin us back.
“It was also our fault to a degree, because we did know what movements Italy would make with Marco Verratti going deeper. We just couldn’t keep the ball.
“During the half-time break, I went to the whiteboard and showed them what had gone wrong, so we improved in the second half.”
Portugal aren’t done yet, as they have one last group game against already-relegated Poland on Tuesday in Guimaraes.
whykallar
2
You guys need CR7, Santos.
XxKleit12xX
1
Feels like he's been here forever. 👏
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Love this pic, thanks🇮🇹❤️, where did you find it?
Portuga2002
2
Who thinks Portugal can win the Nations League?
viubcknyz
0
that's is what happens when Ronaldo is not present
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Definitely the world's best player can't argue with that
Oluwa longmoney
3
that's is what happens when Ronaldo is not present
tjadon1234
0
real problem.
Dokinopruz
0
Honestly, I never expected Portugal to reach this far without Ronaldo. Congrats to coach Santos and the Lads
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Barca dogs will be now jelous of Portugal also. They can see the leadership of CR7 in each Portugal players.
Douglasdylan
4
Feels like he's been here forever. 👏
unclelim
6
veratti looks like messi
opaque
2
Força Portugal 🇵🇹💪
Guevara03
1
And I'd like to add that Bernardo wasn't really involved
wozenme
1
If Italy were managed by Southgate they'd already be building the team around Kean, Pellegri, Locatelli etc. etc.
Riesling
1
what about jorginho tho 😑
Oxford
0
Good game Bernardo!
Eugener
0
Bernardo better cover his family jewels....😂
illusion
0
Italy's last four international home matches: 1-1 1-1 1-1 0-0
Oxford
1
Portugal play better without Ronaldo.
John008
0
Today all we needed for a draw and our manager set us out to defend the draw becuase and considering we had a bad record of losing in Italy it ended up a decent idea.
tsunamia
0
Most boring game I’ve watched in a while, they’re toothless without Ronaldo
okanbill
0
Italy has no chance. Fernando Santos always has Nossa Senhora of Fatima in his heart.
basically
0
May as well play with CB’s in the whole 11
memory4
0
Somebody should tell fernando santos to move bernardo silva to the middle and bring in a speedstar.
Malpacinons
0
Credit to Fernando Santos.
Itz_Daddy_Jay
2
Honestly, I never expected Portugal to reach this far without Ronaldo. Congrats to coach Santos and the Lads