But he was, he was winning his battles in the air and ground Spain did not look like scoring when he was on. Santos gave him a job to do and he did it
In the first half yes, but that was hardly all due to Carvalho. Spain started to take over the game when they made their big changes in midfield, long before he was subbed off. Amazing what can happen you put out creative midfielders and try to actually score. "Santos gave him a job to do" yeah and the job was to keep his precious 0-0 instead of trying to win the game. Even in that sense Portugal has better options than him, he should not be a starter.
The score was 0-0 with William and if Santos was playing for a tie then why did he bring in Mario, Vitinha and Leao. These are not who you want to bring in to keep the score 0-0. It's almost like he decided to go for the win and it backfired.
Ok guys . It is clear that this coach always coaches the same way against all top teams . He plays not to loose . Defensive for 75 minutes of the game, then brings in more offensive players to see if we can win . The man is a loser of a coach . How players like Palhinha and Leao did not start is beyond me . How Renaldo continues to start is beyond me . How he keeps back two of our more potent offensive players ( right and left backs) is Absurd . With the talent we have, we should have won this game comfortably . To the players credit, even with the bad decisions this coach made , we still had chances to win but CR has unfortunately lost a couple of steps and lost his touch in front of the net . What a waste of talent
Thank the FPF for sticking with santos and throwing away what should have been our best chance to win the world cup .
People really hate us in the main forum. Trying to back our team up to flex but I really don’t have any hopes with Santos. The guardian has us 14th to win , Canada is 17th. This is pathetic.
I feel like confidence is another issue to worry about other than Santos’ tactics. If Portuguese people aren’t confident, then the players aren’t. We need to win the Nigerian friendly, and Ronaldo has to bring the team up some how in the locker room. He’s at least good for that. This is his last World Cup, and everyone thinks he’s done. Who knows, maybe he would do a complete 180 with that chip on his shoulder and make everyone eat crow for one last time.
Portugal is going to win the world cup. You heard it hear first. I will also beat every Portuguese player if they lose to England at some point in this world cup. I really hope (after Canada) that you guys take it. Your team is great and with my boy Leao, you should have the attacking strength to do it.
Not with our manager. They will only go as far as their indivdual quality takes them. Which will be fine against the lesser sides, but once they play a top team, Santos and his limiting, small time football will do them in again.
Even though I put Brazil first in my grade list I have secretly Portugal as my champions too. But doubts remain because of conservative tactics from Santos. If that all-Lusophone final with Brazil becomes reality my money is on Portugal to win. However in my personal bracket Brazil will have a much easier path to the final. We'll see.
Santos conservative tactics will Likely punish us sooner but I’m still trying to be optimistic. I have a good gut feeling.
Santos said he doesn't want to start thinking about Euro 2024 until January. Which probably means that whatever happens at the World Cup, he will not step down. Pathetic.
In my opinion, Portugal played better than Belgium in the Euros and only lost because they were unlucky. They can handle to big teams if they get their tactics right. Santos needs to have confidence that he has quality players that can compete against any side.