Roberto Martínez pleased with Portugal’s performance without Vitinha.

After the goalless draw between Mexico and Portugal at the iconic Estadio Azteca, national coach Roberto Martínez expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, despite the absence of Vitinha. This friendly match, which served as preparation for the 2026 World Cup, left fans curious about the Portuguese national team’s ability to control the game without one of its key players.

Martínez began by thanking the Mexican people for their warm reception, emphasizing the importance of the experience: “First, I want to thank the Mexican people for the fantastic reception they provided us. It has been fantastic days, not just for socializing. From Portugal, we appreciate that support and affection.” Vitinha’s presence in the national team is undeniable, as he is considered an excellent player capable of dominating the game: “Vitinha is a player of an excellent level. He knows how to have the ball, defend the game with the ball, and take the game where we need it.”

The Spanish coach revealed that the goal of the match was to evaluate how the team could function without its pivotal element: “Today we wanted to see if we could observe Portugal controlling the game without Vitinha. And I was very satisfied. But yes, it is true that he is a reference for us.” The team’s adaptability was one of the keys to this test, which, although it did not result in goals, provided valuable lessons.

When asked about Mexico’s strategy, which proved to be competitive and well-organized, Martínez did not seem surprised. “We have a lot of respect and give a lot of credit to what Mr. Aguirre has done with the national team. They are always very well organized, very competitive, it’s a team that plays like a club.” The Portuguese team faced initial difficulties, taking about 20 minutes to find their footing on the field, something the coach attributes to the time elapsed since the last official match: “Five months have passed since November, since the last game… But I believe it was a very competitive game, very good tactically.”

Although the lack of goals may not have pleased the fans, Martínez believes that the match provided important lessons for the future: “Perhaps not so good for the fans because there were no goals, but tactically we will draw many conclusions.” The analysis of the game promises to be a crucial step in Portugal’s preparation for the upcoming challenges in the World Cup.

As the national team prepares for the next major tournament, the ability to adapt and manage the team without key players like Vitinha will be tested once again, leaving fans eager for the team’s performance in future competitions.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.