This Saturday, Portugal are looking to escape the top of Group J for Euro 2024 qualification at the reception to Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will be the first test for new manager Robert Martinez.
After the expected significant victories over Liechtenstein (4:0), José Alvalade Stadium and Luxembourg (6:0), the national team again gets in Lisbon, at the Da Luz Stadium, a direct rival in the fight for qualification, but one that has never defeated the team in the past “Kinas”.
Historically, in four meetings, Portugal won three and drew only one and added two triumphs on national soil, in 2009 only with a score of 1:0, and in 2011 with a score of 6:2, both took place in Lux, stage today’s game. . . .
On Friday, in the last training session before the clash with the Bosnians, Martinez’s group had already been reduced to 25 players due to the sacking of striker Gonzalo Ramos, who retired from work with a right hip problem, an issue that would also prevent him from being a Benfica player later. will go to Iceland.
The return of Diogo Costa to the Portuguese goal is inevitable, to the detriment of Rui Patricio, after the national coach announced at a press conference that the goalkeeper is Portugal’s “No. 1”.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has never reached the finals of the European Championship (it was at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil) and which recently achieved promotion to League A of the Nations League, is coached by Faruk Hadzibegich and striker Edin Dzeko. (37) and midfielder Pjanic (33) are the biggest names on the team.
Portugal lead Group J with six points, followed by Slovakia with four points, and Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland with three points. Luxembourg, with one point, and Liechtenstein, without points, are second to last and last respectively.
Only the top two in the group advance to the final stage of Euro 2024, which will be held in Germany.
The meeting between Portugal and Bosnia-Herzegovina is scheduled to start at 19:45, it will be arbitrated by the Italian Davide Massa.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Dave Martin, and I’m an experienced journalist working in the news industry. As a part of my work, I write for 24 News Reporters, covering mostly sports-related topics. With more than 5 years of experience as a journalist, I have written numerous articles on various topics to provide accurate information to readers.