A tragic death marked the last preparation test of the National Team before the start of the World Cup, but the team’s response on the field left Roberto Martínez satisfied and confident for the upcoming challenges. Portugal overcame Nigeria 2-1 in Leiria, in a match that served as the final rehearsal before the start of the world’s largest national team competition, and the national coach did not hold back in praising the group’s attitude, also highlighting João Félix’s extraordinary season.
The meeting, held on Wednesday night, was the final test for Portugal before their first match in the World Cup, and it was marked by a hard-fought victory over Nigeria. Martínez opted to rotate the squad, giving minutes to practically all the players, and emphasized: “It’s difficult to use all the players. This is the first time we can. We utilized that very well. It adds more demand to the group.” The coach highlighted the importance of this test to assess individual and collective performance, stating that “in a club it’s difficult, in a national team it’s fantastic to be able to improve in the second half.”
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The Spanish coach did not hide his enthusiasm for João Félix’s current form, which he described as having a “brilliant season,” highlighting his intelligence and decision-making ability. “João Félix is in a very good moment, he had a brilliant season. He has intelligence. He was unlucky, the ball crosses the line and he deserved the goal,” lamented Martínez, emphasizing that the strategy for this game was meticulously prepared and individualized for each athlete: “We had an individual plan for everyone. We managed to achieve that.”
The victory against Nigeria carries special significance in Portugal’s preparation for the World Cup, not only because of the result, but especially due to the opportunity to experiment with different tactical solutions and test the group’s response to physically demanding opponents, similar to what is expected when facing the Democratic Republic of Congo. Martínez explained that “it was the right opponent. A team very similar to Congo, with physical strength and the ability to exploit spaces. As a test, it was very good; we could change eleven players and win the game. It shows the attitude of our group, and I am very satisfied with what we did in both games.”
When questioned about the management of Cristiano Ronaldo’s playing time, Martínez clarified: “The individual plan is a mix of the information we have, of what they do in the national team, in the club. This is how we prepare individual plans. Diogo Costa was important to give more time, to play 90 minutes. Bruno Fernandes played 90 minutes against Chile; Cristiano had the plan for 45 and 60; Vitinha 45; Matheus Nunes, after gastroenteritis, it was important for him to get into the game. We achieved the plan for all players.” In this way, the coach made it clear that every decision is carefully considered, taking into account the physical condition and context of each player.
Regarding the tactical approach and what he expects from the next opponent, the DR Congo, Roberto Martínez was unequivocal: “It is not a concern; we need to work, align concepts for all opponents. Nigeria showed what DR Congo can do; they take a lot of risks in duels. It’s about giving or creating an opportunity. Anticipating what can happen in a duel is important for DR Congo. But it was about executing aspects of open play and set pieces. I feel that the team is prepared; the perfect situation needs to come after the first three games.”
Still, the coach acknowledges that there are areas for improvement. “We need to improve what is part of a national team, synchronize aspects. Decisions are collective; we need to significantly improve our entries into duels. The aspects that belong to a group are now being worked on incredibly in the locker room. I am very pleased. The players are fresh. It is the beginning of the season; I don’t feel they are at the end of the season. But we lack connection, the intuition of what the teammate is going to do. It is the process we need to improve.”
Looking to the future and the starting eleven, Martínez was clear: “I continue to say, I am very annoying. There is no starting eleven. In modern football, there are 26 who can help. The ideas of how to play against the DR Congo are very clear and there are several who can execute them. It is a mistake to think that I have a starting eleven, then in four or five days I see that there are players in better shape. We always work with clarity on the pitch, it is a strength. I cannot limit talent to eleven players. It is a mistake I will not make. We have outfield players ready to help. Those who start do not mean they will start every game. We need to make good use of our talent.”
Portugal is now heading into the World Cup with high morale and a clear message: there are no guaranteed spots and whoever is performing better, plays. Roberto Martínez is betting on a modern and flexible management of the squad, focusing on physical freshness and the talent that, according to him, abounds in this generation. The coming days will be crucial to consolidate processes and align the team for the first major test of the competition. The bar is set high, but the ambition of this group is evident and promises to carry the hopes of Portuguese fans towards a memorable campaign.
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