«We were very strong in the various moments of the game». This was the analysis of Fernando Santos, national selector, to Portugal's 6-0 rout against Lithuania, at stake counting for the qualifying phase of the European 2020, played this Thursday, November 14th, at the Estádio Algarve.
At the press conference, Fernando Santos insisted on «highlighting the performance of the Portuguese team», namely the «quality of the game presented, strictly fulfilling the game plan in offensive and defensive terms».
Portugal went to half-time winning 2-0 and the coach regretted that the result was not, soon, more extended.
“It was a shame we didn't finish the first half with more goals: I think we could have done it. The players are to be congratulated. They were the ones who made the game easier».
Is that, he considered, "this Lithuanian team away has caused problems at the defensive level to the opponents".
Asked about the good performance of Gonçalo Paciência, who made his debut for the national team, Fernando Santos said that he "was well", as well as the whole team.
As for Cristiano Ronaldo, the coach bluntly shot: "little should surprise him."
“Overall there was a noise around Cristiano. They said it was unavoidable [the injury], I said it could be avoided, because Cristiano was fine», he concluded.
Portugal plays, this Sunday, from 14:00, the last game of the qualifying round, in Luxembourg. It will be an authentic final and, if the team wins, it will ensure qualification for Euro 2020.
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