“Awaiting the finals of the League of Nations.”, – WRITE: Football.ua
Awaiting the finals of the League of Nations.
Roberto Martinez, Getty Images 08 June 2025, 11:43
“We believed that we would be able to beat Germany on its field, but one thing to speak, and the other is to make. It is a huge difference. Football requires such moments. Portugal did not win Germany for 25 years, and we also played on the departure against a team that was very strong in our native walls. We are in the finale if we want to beat Spain.
Earlier, when playing with Spain, the main task was to control its ownership of the ball, managing the game and the ability to pull opponents out of position. They have it in the blood – from childhood they teach to play. But now with guys like Nico and Yamal, speed and verticality were added to this. So you can say that this is one of the best teams in the world using speed and fast transitions. In doing so, it retained the usual style – the ability to keep the ball, control the game and defend it. As a result, the Spaniards have a very balanced and cool team.
Football in the national team is a long way where it is important to find the right connections and ideas. Portugal is not going to change its style only for the sake of the finals. We believe in how we play and in our capabilities. Spain is probably one of the best teams in the world – it has guys who cool the ball and quickly attack, and this is a completely different style of Spanish football. Therefore, we need to act seriously in defense, but the main thing for us is to do what is the best, not to change our game or play differently. It would be a mistake.
I believe in all players, this is our advantage. I do not have one starting line for all cases – there is a plan for the game. If we suddenly miss, our reaction to this should be perfect. When Spain uses its counterattack, it is the best team in the world. We need to do everything we are good.
In the match with Germany, we showed that we can control the ball. We need to do all this: to show individual qualities, to respond promptly and to defend well against the team, which has an exceptional class in the attack, “Martinez said.
The Final of the League of Nations between the national teams of Spain and Portugal will take place today, at 21:45 Kyiv time.