Carlos Admits that Portugal missed Ronaldo
Portuguese coach Carlos Santos admitted that the Portugal national team missed their playmaker in the 3-2 win to Poland. Ronaldo was not invited in the country’s friendly match against Poland, due to his rape allegation.
There were rumors that the team were better off with their playmaker but Carlos Santos was quick to quash such reports.
“No team can be better without the best in the world, it’s not worth talking about who’s not there,” Santos told reporters.
“When Cristiano plays, he is more advanced on the left side and gives us more ability to finish.
“When he plays we have to find a solution to get the ball to him and when he comes inside we have to have a player to cover on the left. This is how we will continue.
“We started well, controlled the ball, but conceded a goal. It could have been a difficult time but the team stayed calm, controlled the rhythms.
“We scored the third goal and then there was a little issue with losing the ball in dangerous zones. We had a lot of problems.
“Portugal has only one focus, to win, the results in official matches show this.
“We do not get to be a European champion without wanting to win. A few times [we are] more defensive, others more offensive, but you have to defend well, otherwise you will not win.”