In the upcoming European Cup 1/8 final at 3:00 a.m. Beijing time on July 2, Roberto Martinez, head coach of the Portuguese national team, attended a press conference and answered reporters' questions on the team's preparations, analysis of the opponents and the team's goals.
As for the pitch conditions, Martinez said he was not worried and believed that UEFA would provide the best possible conditions to ensure that the match would run smoothly and bring a wonderful visual feast to the fans. He emphasized that both Slovenia and Portugal need such venues to show their strengths.
Regarding the correlation between a coach's nationality and winning international competitions, Martinez believes that it is not a decisive factor. He noted that the team has gone through a full preparation and competitive phase and is now focusing on the upcoming knockout stage. He believes that the players on the field are ready and will go all out to win.
Talking about the result of the match between England and Slovakia, Martinez said it speaks volumes about the high level of competition in the Europa League. He emphasized that all the participating teams are full of fighting spirit and confidence, and the victory or defeat of the game often depends on some minor details. For the Portuguese team, Slovenia is also a powerful opponent, need the whole team to work together to deal with.
When evaluating the strengths of the teams, Martinez was cautious to say that now is not the time. He believes that the tournament has only just begun, and although some teams have performed well in the group stage, the real battle is yet to come. He singled out Spain as the only team to have won all three of its matches, a strength that should not be underestimated. However, he also emphasized that the Portuguese team is equally energetic and prepared and is on its way to the final.
For the upcoming match against Slovenia, Martinez believes it will be a very different contest from the group stage. He praised the Slovenian team's manager and players, saying that they play as a whole, with strong collaborative defense and competitiveness. He reminded his players to make full use of passes and other means to break down the opponent's defense and emphasized the importance of defense.
Speaking on the details of what the team needs to improve on, Martinez said he strives for the perfect game but understands that it's hard to achieve. He encouraged the players to continue to play to their abilities and improve in the game. He emphasized the need for the team to maintain a high level of commitment and responsibility and to respond positively after the loss against Georgia.
Regarding the Slovenian team's low ball possession, Martinez said his team will be ready to defend and wait patiently for opportunities. He reminded the players to pay attention to the opponents' quick counterattacks and threatening shots, and emphasized the importance of using their individual talents and teamwork to create offensive opportunities.
Finally, when asked if he felt any distrust from the outside world, Martinez was adamant that there were no such emotions in the locker room. He emphasized that the team will focus on their performance and try to win the game. He believes that as long as the whole team works together and maintains the desire and intensity to win, they will be able to overcome any obstacle and achieve victory.
