Matheus Nunez will replace Otavio in the Portugal squad for Euro 2024. The Al Nasr midfielder injured his right leg in the Saudi King’s Cup final last Friday and was released on Monday after an assessment by the FPF’s health and performance department concluded that the player had failed to recover in time to compete in the tournament. which starts on the 14th in Germany. “I’m sad to lose Otavio because he is a player who gives everything. Matheus Nunez is the natural and obvious choice. During the March training camp, he played a very good game against Sweden and played the role of Otavio. Why him and not Pote? Matheus has Otavio’s profile. We used 31 players. We had to cut it down to 26 players. He is in the team, he knows the group and its concepts,” said Roberto Martinez.
Before the start of the preparatory game against Finland (this Tuesday), the national team coach also announced that Pepe and Nelson Semedo are not fit for Tuesday’s meeting at the José Alvalade stadium. “Pepe is in the recovery phase. He has been working with the group in training, but we need the competitiveness of the game. I won’t play. Nelson Semedo is not there either, because we don’t want to take risks,” he explained.
As for the fact that the game will take place in Alvalade and that there will be a shortage of Sporting players in the squad, Martinez is not worried: “The club season is over. Selection is everyone’s team. We should just talk about the players who are here and who will compete for the colors of the country. The atmosphere in the last matches was amazing. The strength and energy that a team can get from the fans is unique. I really want to be at the game with our fans.”
“If I don’t put my foot in, then it’s not me…”
“I always put my foot in. If I don’t do it, it’s not me. Despite the fact that the next few games are preparation games, no one is going to spare themselves on the field. When we’re in the game, it’s behind us.” We want to better interpret the coach’s ideas. Even though most of the team has qualified in a short time and already knows the coach’s ideas, the guys will give a great response,” Palinha said in a preview of Tuesday’s game.
Ronaldo and Neves vs Ireland
“Ruben Neves and Cristiano Ronaldo will arrive on the 7th. All players had seven days to switch off and gain fresh thoughts. They have a plan to go into the game against Ireland. [dia 11]” Roberto Martinez said Monday.
