"We are lucky to have 2 players" - Roberto Martinez names Portugal star who shares free-kick responsibility with Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has named midfielder Bruno Fernandes as the player who shares the free-kick responsibility with superstar forward Cristiano Ronaldo. The Spaniard made the claim in a pre-match press conference (July 4) before his side's all-important EURO 2024 quarter-final fixture against Didier Deschamps' France.
Surprisingly, Ronaldo has converted just one of the 60 free-kicks he has taken for Portugal at major international tournaments (EUROs and World Cups) (via Opta). The solitary goal came in a group stage clash against Spain in the 2018 World Cup, completing his hattrick to rescue a 3-3 draw for his side.
When asked if the set-piece takers were decided before the game, Martinez said that the taker depended on a lot of different factors. However, he did outline the Al-Nassr attacker and Manchester United captain as the two designated free-kick takers.
The 50-year-old said (via O Jogo):
"The players practice in training, Cristiano and Bruno are the two players who have the responsibility in the games. Sometimes it's the profile, the position, the timing, but we're lucky enough to have two players who take free-kicks at a very high level."
Ronaldo's struggles from dead-ball situations continued against Slovenia in the Round of 16. He missed a golden chance to open his EURO 2024 account from the penalty spot in extra time, but had his effort saved by Jan Oblak.
When the game ended 0-0 after 120 minutes, he did take and score the first spot-kick for his side in the ensuing shootout. Goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved all three Slovenian penalties to help his side win 3-0 and set up a mouth-watering quarter-final matchup against France.
"Not a game between Ronaldo and Mbappe" - Portugal coach Roberto Martinez previews EURO 2024 quarterfinal against France
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has claimed that their EURO 2024 quarter-final against France was not merely a showdown between Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe.
At a pre-match press conference on July 4, the former Belgium coach was asked about the duel between the two offensive superstars. However, he downplayed the individual battle, instead claiming that Portugal were going to tackle the opposition as a whole.
Martinez said:
"Tomorrow is not a game between Ronaldo and Mbappe, they are two incredible and influential players in the world sport and this will continue. Ronaldo influenced Mbappe and Mbappe influences others... France is not just Mbappe, there are players who can attack space which is a very strong aspect, and we need to limit that. They can defend with many and make room for counterattacks."
"We have to make a very complete game, but there is no individual plan, because France is full of great players. We can promise that we will give everything that the players are focused on playing in this great game of Portuguese football," Martinez concluded.
Portugal take on France in a highly-anticipated EURO 2024 quarter-final at Hamburg's Volksparkstadion on July 5.