As Portugal heads into a crucial Europa League group stage final round match against Georgia, head coach Roberto Martinez attended a pre-match press conference to give a detailed insight into the game and his team's form.
Martinez began by emphasizing the importance of the integrity and focus of the game, stating that the Portuguese team is fully prepared for the showdown that will decide the fate of the promotion. He made special mention of Georgia's excellent performance at this year's Euros, noting that it is a game that requires a high level of concentration and competitiveness.
Speaking about the starting lineup, Martinez emphasized the importance of each member of the team and said that he did not like to use words like "revolution" to describe the lineup changes. He confirmed that Diogo Costa will be in goal and emphasized the importance of stability in the goalkeeper's position for the team.
Responding to the players' anxiety, Martinez said he understood but did not show too much concern, emphasizing that there was no friction within the team and praising the players' training level and commitment. For players such as Felix who have yet to get a chance to play, Martinez said they have a great attitude to training and are ready to play.
Responding to a query about whether Crowe would start, Martinez confirmed that the captain would start and emphasized the importance of his consistency and experience to the team. He also addressed the issue of invasive behavior by fans, calling on them to remain sensible and support the team.
Martinez also answered questions about the status of other players, including the fitness and likelihood of playing for Pepe, Mendes, Ramos and Wakita. He emphasized the importance of personalized management and said that each player has a unique value and role to play.
Speaking about the style of play and trends in the competition, Martinez described the Europa League as a very competitive tournament and pointed out the importance of attacking intent and physicality in the game. Finally, he expressed his respect for the Georgian team and mentioned the individual abilities of their players and the overall improvement of the team.
