Spaniard Roberto Martinez, successor to Fernando Santos, became the 13th Portuguese manager this Thursday to make his debut in office with a 4-0 triumph against Liechtenstein at the start of the race at the 2024 European Championship.
At the José Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, in a Group J qualifying match, the Portuguese team beat the Grand Duchy, and the former Belgian coach became only the third of the last 11 to start with a triumph, repeating António Oliveira. (1994) and Paulo Bento (2010).
Previously, they also started beating Laurindo Grijo (1930), Salvador do Carmo (1932), Armando Ferreira (1961), Manuel da Luz Afonso (1964), José Augusto (1972), Julio Cernadas Pereira “Juca” (1977), Mario Wilson (1978), Otto Gloria (1982), Fernando Cabrita (1983) and José Torres (1984).
After the “good giant” there were many more who did not win: Rui Sibra (1986), Artur Jorge (1990), Carlos Queiroz (1991) and “interim” Nelo Vingada (1994) and Agostinho Oliveira (2002). started with equality.
For their part, Humberto Coelho (1998), Brazilian Luis Felipe Scolari (2003) and Fernando Santos (2014) made their debuts with losses, but in the stronghold of the “giants” of England, Italy and France, respectively.
As far as foreigners are concerned, the first Spaniard after two Brazilians joined Otto Gloria, who won 2-0 in Finland in 1982, and not Felipao, who were defeated 1-0 by the Transalpines in Genoa in 2003.
Roberto Martínez’s first match as a Portuguese coach came almost ten years after Fernando Santos’ first match, which he lost in a 2-1 friendly in Saint-Denis.
Striker Karim Benzema just three minutes later and midfielder Paul Pogba scored goals for the French in 69th, while substitute Ricardo Quaresma took advantage of the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo shortly before, who was replaced by João Mario, to reduce the penalty, 77.
On his debut, Fernando Santos lined up Rui Patricio in goal, defense with Cedric, Pepe, Bruno Alves (Ricardo Carvalho 46) and Eliseu, midfield with André Gomez (William Carvalho 46), Thiago (Eder 68) and João Moutinho and attack with Nani (Ricardo Quaresma, 68), Danny (Vieirinha, 85) and Cristiano Ronaldo (João Mario, 76).
The last Portuguese coach began to lose, but along the way he was marked mainly by victories, only 67, in 109 games, plus 23 draws and 19 losses, with 226 goals scored and 81 goals conceded.
More important than these numbers is the number “2” representing the titles won, the first for the “kin” selection, the 2016 European Championship sealed in the same Saint-Denis and against the same opponent he lost in his debut and less important League of Nations 2019.
The Portuguese football team kicked off the “era” of Roberto Martínez this Thursday with a 4-0 win over Liechtenstein, securing Joao Cancela, Bernardo Silva and Cristiano Ronaldo (two, one from penalties) in the first round of J group qualification for Euro 2024 in Alvalada.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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