Portugal coach Martínez: the Czechs were tough and emphatic. The statistics speak clearly, we controlled our nerves and showed character

Portugal has made it through the opening match of the European Football Championship. One of the candidates to win the tournament beat the Czechs 2-1 and although they struggled, there is no doubt that they deserved to win. Coach Roberto Martínez praised his team after the match and spoke about the opponent.

The Czech fans had to wait until the latest possible time to see their team play. Coach Ivan Hašek’s team decided to play more defensively and try to score from counterattacks. But the first hour of the game was not pretty for the Czech fan’s eye.

But in the final half hour we watched some beautiful football. The Czechs took the lead in the 62nd minute thanks to a beautiful goal by Lukas Provod, but the Portuguese then equalised after an own goal by Robin Hranac.

The latter was unlucky for the rest of the tournament and at the very end, when after a run by his teammate Tomáš Holeš, he set the ball up for the opponent and Francisco Conceicao decided Portugal’s 2-1 win.

“We did not expect an easy match. We were playing against a very tough Czech Republic, they were very tough and played with a lot of determination. They had one shot on goal and scored. It was also a test of character.

When you look at the stats, 70% ball possession, 13 corners, you see a lot of good work. When we were down 0:1, we had to control our nerves and I think the character we showed today was incredible,” said coach Roberto Martínez at the press conference.

He was satisfied with his team’s performance and the three points helped the Portuguese to be close to progressing out of the group. They only need a point against Turkey or Georgia.

“We won the game. We have to appreciate what we did well. We defended very, very well. If you don’t allow the Czech Republic any corners and only one shot on target, I think you can say we have something to build on,” the Portugal coach added.

Portugal will now challenge Turkey, while the Czechs need to beat Georgia. In their last match, the Czech Republic will challenge Turkey and Portugal will take on Georgia, who fought the Turks but ultimately failed to get a point.

Source: UEFA