Bruno Fernandes on the ball in the clash against Spain for the UEFA Nations League
Portugal’s manager, Fernando Santos, analyzed the defeat against Spain in the last match of Nations League celebrated in Braga.
Fernando Santos said:
“In the first half, the team was well organized, doing well, despite Spain conserving more ball. At half-time, I talked to the players to have more aggressive pressure, to recover quickly, and we created more opportunities and Spain had none.
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The team came up higher, putting more pressure in the first 15 minutes of the second half. We created two or three-goal situations. After 15 minutes, we no longer had the ball, the team lowered lines and allowed themselves to be pressured. We had more difficulties.
In the second half, some players were more tired, and it was necessary to refresh the team. Give more strength to the midfield and more speed up front, but we ended up conceding a goal.
It has to serve as a lesson. We have to maintain our pattern of play, regardless of the opponent. And we did that for a long time. We had some good moments in the first half, circling the ball well, attacking well. We created several scoring opportunities. The team was higher and then we fell apart. We lost the ability to have the ball, the players couldn’t start the game and force Spain to come back. Then he started pushing, pushing…
Spain didn’t really have an opportunity, but they scored a goal and won”.
English