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regular-article-logo Sunday, 06 October 2024

European Championship: Rotation policy backfires on Portugal coach in Group F clash against Georgia

With Portugal already in the last-16, Martinez began with only three of the players that started the victory over Turkey, including Cristiano Ronaldo

Reuters, AP/PTI Gelsenkirchen Published 28.06.24, 11:06 AM
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (centre) and teammates watch as Georgia record a memorable 2-0 victory in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (centre) and teammates watch as Georgia record a memorable 2-0 victory in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday Reuters

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez was left with much to ponder after his decision to rotate his squad for their Euro 2024 Group F clash with Georgia backfired in a humbling 2-0 defeat.

With Portugal already in the last-16, Martinez began with only three of the players that started the victory over Turkey, including Cristiano Ronaldo.

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But if Martinez hoped a few players would push themselves into contention for the knockout-round clash with Slovenia, he was left disappointed as Portugal were outplayed.

“It’s a defeat. We started with low intensity, we conceded early and that’s what Georgia needed,” Martinez told reporters.

“We weren’t clear-headed enough with the last pass and in front of goal, and their goalkeeper had an amazing performance. We tried to score but couldn’t and that made Georgia believe all the more. They deserved to win.

“Today (Wednesday) was the day to give other players an opportunity, players that we needed to see how they were doing.”

Tens of thousands of raucous Georgia fans roared their side, ranked 74th in the world, to victory over the 2016 champions on what proved a frustrating night for Ronaldo.

He failed to score in the group stage of a major international tournament for the first time in his career.

Ronaldo narrowly avoided being hit by a fan who jumped from the crowd to try to get close to the football star.

A video widely circulated on social media appears to show someone leaping over the top of the players’ tunnel as Ronaldo headed to the locker room.

A safety steward rushed to shield the star and other security staff race toward the fan, who falls away out of sight.

A bemused-looking Ronaldo stops, but appears to be unharmed.

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