Following the Europa League quarterfinal penalty shootout defeat to France, Portugal manager Roberto Martinez spoke to SportTV to give insight into the match and look ahead to the future of his team.
Speaking about the game, Martinez could not hide his loss: "It's a sad moment because the players have given their best. They showed all the content of our training on the field, but also showed the essence and value of Portuguese soccer. Unfortunately, the fans should have reaped the rewards, but that's the way soccer is, sometimes the results are not as good as they should be. Even though we lost, we can proudly say that we gave it all and we showed what Portuguese soccer is all about."
When asked if this was his best game in charge, Martinez replied in the affirmative: "Without a doubt, this game was one of our best performances to date. The atmosphere in the dressing room after the match was full of emotion and power, and the unity and cohesion between the players was touching. Especially the performance of Pepe and captain Crowe, who set an example for the team. This is a game that will allow our players to grow tremendously, whether it be in terms of personality, the ability to capitalize on chances, or the ability to create a threat in the attacking third, we have shown a great deal of strength. It was a performance that makes us proud for the future."
Martinez spoke highly of veteran Pepe's performance: "Pepe is a real role model. Every move he makes on the field is full of fight and determination, and his reactions and performances are amazing. He is a fighter, a leader and his presence makes the team stronger. I am sure that young players like Gonzalo Inacio and Antonio Silva will learn a lot from Pepe and their future will be even brighter."
Speaking about the realization of the team's value when leaving Germany, Martinez said: "This experience has made us more determined to recognize the value of the team. Our players have great individual talent, and the unity and cohesion between them is our most valuable asset. We are a team that may suffer setbacks but will never give up, and we always want to bring victory to our fans. Although today's result was not ideal, we want to send the message that we are proud of our defeat and that we ended the game in a Portuguese style that gives everything. In the future, we will continue to give our all and fight for the honor of Portuguese soccer."
