Portugal Coach Defends Ronaldo’s Full Match Against Colombia

Portugal’s coach, Roberto Martínez, has defended his decision to have veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo play the entire 90 minutes in their recent group stage encounter against Colombia. This marked Ronaldo’s third full match in just twelve days, raising questions given his 41 years of age.

Martínez emphasized Ronaldo’s crucial role as the team’s attacking leader and the importance of his movement and presence in and around the penalty area. “Cristiano is our attacking leader, he always moves in and around the penalty area. It is very important that everyone gets familiar with his runs,” Martínez stated during the post-match press conference following the 0-0 draw. He added that this familiarity is “part of our growth process.”

Fitness Concerns Addressed

The Portuguese coach expressed no concerns regarding Ronaldo’s physical condition. “He is very fit, I thought he was good, very good,” Martínez asserted. “Of course, we monitor his fitness, as we do with all players.”

Despite already securing qualification for the knockout stage, Portugal failed to win their group due to the goalless draw. Colombia created the majority of the scoring opportunities, but were ultimately thwarted by an outstanding performance from Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

Media Reaction

While the coach backed his decision and Ronaldo’s performance, Portuguese media outlets were less impressed. Reports indicate that Ronaldo received a low rating of 4 from A Bola, with Diogo Costa being the highest-rated Portuguese player at 8.

Looking Ahead

Martínez expressed relief that the group stage is now concluded. Portugal faces a challenging opponent in Croatia in the next round. “Our first World Cup is over, now the next World Cup begins,” he commented, highlighting the increasing intensity of the tournament.

Key facts

The decision to keep Ronaldo on the field, despite his age and the team’s already secured qualification, underscores his perceived importance to Portugal’s tactical setup and ongoing development as they enter the crucial knockout phase of the tournament.

Source: Voetbal International, https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/waarom-ronaldo-de-hele-wedstrijd-bleef-staan-tegen-colombia