Portugal 5-2 Denmark match reaction: Martínez and players hit back at criticism; Trincão admits “I should shoot more often”
Portugal manager Roberto Martínez and his players were delighted at the end of the electrifying victory over Denmark in Lisbon tonight, but made it obvious that the sharp criticism directed at them over recent days had stung.
Martínez in particular took issue with one journalist, suggesting that if he is “suffering” watching Portugal play he should change profession. Bernardo Silva hit the nail on the head by saying “there is no middle ground in football” given the passion involved.
Two-goal hero Franscisco Trincão, meanwhile, revealed that he has been encouraged to shoot more often both by his club and national team coaches.
Roberto Martínez, Portugal coach
“I think today we had a feast of football and that’s important. The Seleção is not for criticising the coach or to have a debate. It’s for us to be proud, to enjoy the players we have. Today we saw a mixture of generations: Bernardo Silva played his 100th Portugal game, Geovany Quenda was on the bench. This is a very, very special changing room.
“I’d like to say that all the fans, the Portuguese people, should be very proud of this team. The first game did not go well, we accept that, but today we used the advantage of playing in front of our own fans to create a special atmosphere, which helped a lot. We played a game, that as the manager, I’m very happy with.
“The number of players who entered the pitch showed the work we have been doing over these two years, not just these last two days, and scoring five goals is always important. I think today our performance was very, very good, and we completely wiped away our display in Copenhagen.
A visibly irritated Martínez, no doubt stung by the harsh criticism aimed at him in recent days, was asked if he “suffered” while watching the game. He immediately asked the journalist if he had suffered, and the journalist replied yes.
“You suffered? Well I enjoyed it. Because this is football. There are no easy games. Have you seen the other quarter-final games? Football is this.
“Denmark played a good game. We were superior. But if you don’t like to suffer, I don’t think you should follow football.”
“I can say that over two years we have lost two competitive games. And one was against Georgia when we were already qualified and first in the group. So in two years, 28 games, one defeat. I don’t think there are many national teams in the world who have achieved that.”
Portugal 5-2 Denmark match report: Seleção make Nations League final four after thriller in Lisbon
Francisco Trincão, Portugal forward
Francisco Trincão made a huge impact off the bench, scoring two goals for Portugal. Photo: Arlindo Homem ©
You had an amazing impact, scoring twice in quick succession after coming on…
“Yes, I ended up being happy, but I’m happier because of the win, the most important thing was to got through. Whoever scored didn’t really matter. I’m happy because of the victory, the fans deserve it.”
How would you describe the two goals?
“I just had the chance to shoot. I have to shoot more often because I think I’ve got a good shot. They often ask me to do that, both at club level and here. Bruno said it to me just today. I think I have to take advantage of situations and shoot more times whenever the ball is near or in the box. I ended up having luck and scoring.”
Do you think that from now one you’ll get more playing time for the Seleção?
“I’m here to help. Today it was me, tomorrow it will be someone else, that’s not really important. We know we have a lot of quality in the squad. Anybody who plays can make the difference. We all have to be ready to play.”
Have you spoken to your club teammates Hjulmand and Harder?
“I spoke to them at the end of the game. Morten said that if someone had to score against them he hoped it was me, so he ended up being happy for me. No I hope they both rest well and are here ready for our next match.”
Portugal will be playing Germany, in Germany, in the final Four…
“Today all the games are difficult. We’ll prepare for it calmly. We have a lot of time until then, so I’m confident about what will happen then.”
Bernardo Silva, Portugal midfielder
Bernardo Silva played his 100th match for Portugal tonight. Photo: Arlindo Homem ©
Cristiano Ronaldo talked about unfair criticism directed at the Seleção. Do you agree?
“Football involves a lot of passion. People who have been in football for a long time, like Cristiano and I and our coach, we know that when we win we’re the best in the world, but the next day when we lose we’re the worst in the world. There’s no middle ground in football. We are used to it; it’s part of the game.
“Like Cristiano said yesterday, the most important thing was that we were at half time and we hadn’t lost anything, even though we played a poor game. Today the Seleção gave a great response.”
As well as the right players, do you feel you have the right leader?
“Yes, of course we do. I don’t know if you’re talking about the captain or the coach, but we’ll be with our coach until death.”
Francisco Conceição, Portugal winger
On the criticism aimed at the Seleção over recent days:
“The critics are part of our profession. When things don’t go well, it’s normal, especially in a national team like ours, where the objective is to win everything always. That’s because we have a very strong team.
“We won this game, which is important, but we have to win the next ones to win the competition.”
By Tom Kundert