Portugal’s superstar playmakers were in the spotlight during their Euro 2024 opener against Czech Republic, but it was evident that Cristiano Ronaldo can’t always be the star of the show anymore. Coach Roberto Martinez tried to focus on the positives after a narrow 2-1 victory, emphasizing the team’s resilience and fighting spirit rather than the technical or tactical aspects of the game.
Martinez’s substitutions played a crucial role in the win, with Pedro Neto providing the assist for Francisco Conceicao’s injury-time goal. The team’s attacking mentality, with five forwards on the field at the end of the game, may have contributed to their fortunate outcome. Despite the victory, it was clear that Portugal’s performance was lacking in many areas.
One of the main issues was Ronaldo’s selfishness on the field. While he remains a serious attacking threat, his individualistic style of play may not always benefit the team as a whole. As a superstar, Ronaldo has a responsibility to lead by example and prioritize the collective success over personal glory.
In addition to Ronaldo’s performance, Portugal’s midfield also struggled to control the game against Czech Republic. The lack of creativity and cohesion in the middle of the park hindered their ability to create scoring opportunities and maintain possession. Moving forward in the tournament, the team will need to address these issues in order to compete at the highest level.
Overall, Portugal’s victory over Czech Republic was a mixed bag of positives and negatives. While they showed fighting spirit and determination to secure the win, there are clear areas for improvement moving forward. Emulating Ronaldo’s selfishness may not always lead to success, and a more collective approach will be crucial for Portugal to make a deep run in Euro 2024.