Euro 2024: Roberto Martinez expresses 'concern' for 'spectacular' Ronaldo as fans rush to player during win over Turkey
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ByEurosport
Updated 23/06/2024 at 09:08 GMT
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez saw his side win 3-0 over Turkey in their second Group F game at Euro 2024 on Saturday, with the three points securing them a place in the knockout rounds. Portugal had former Real Madrid team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe to thank for their vital contributions in the match, and Martinez said after the match that both veterans had put in impressive displays.
Martinez thrilled with Portugal win over Turkey, unhappy with pitch invasions
Roberto Martinez hailed Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe for their influence during Portugal’s 3-0 victory over Turkey at Euro 2024, though he noted his concern as fans repeatedly invaded the pitch.
Martinez’s side made it two wins from two in Group F to secure safe passage to the knockout phase, and the two veterans both contributed to the success.
Ronaldo provided an assist to Bruno Fernandes on 55 minutes to put his side 3-0 up, while 41-year-old Pepe played 83 minutes to help Portugal record a clean sheet.
While Ronaldo now plays in the Saudi Pro League for Al-Nassr, Pepe is still in Europe as he captains Portuguese side Porto.
Speaking after the match, Portugal coach Martinez was full of praise for the centre-back.
“For a neutral watching the game and seeing Pepe playing, you would never believe that he is 41 years old,” he said. “He is an example, a professional. The way he reads the game, the way he competes, he is a wonderful example for Portuguese football and for football in general.”
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Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes celebrate Portugal going 3-0 up against Turkey (Photo by Jürgen Fromme - firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
Turning to 39-year-old Ronaldo, Martinez added: “I think we saw something today that for me is spectacular. To have Cristiano, who is an out-and-out goalscorer, he gets in front of the 'keeper and he looks for the assist to Bruno Fernandes.
“That is a pure moment of Portuguese football. That is an example that should be shown in every academy in Portugal and in the world of football, that the team is the most important thing. That assist probably means more than scoring any goal.”
Martinez did express some worry over fans repeatedly running onto the pitch in order to take photos with their captain.
There was also frustration in the crowd as stewards and safety staff had to chase down pitch invaders, and while Ronaldo warmly greeted a young boy who wanted a photograph on the first occasion, he was escorted off the pitch by a member of staff at the end of the match, and appeared to push another fan who reached him.
"It is a concern," Martinez said. "Today the intentions of the fans were good. We all love a fan who recognises the big stars and icons.
"But you [must] understand there’s a difficult moment if their intentions are wrong. We need to be careful. It shouldn’t happen - there’s a lot of security.
"We should give a message to the fans also because it is not the right way. It may get worse for the future. It’s not good to have the players so exposed on the pitch."
Portugal are now through to the next round with a game to spare ahead of the last match against Georgia, and the Spanish coach was optimistic over his team’s chances.
He explained: “The players can play five at the back, four at the back, different solutions in order to help their individual talent shine through. That is why it's very important to work hard at practice and during the preparation stages. The players have to be tactically flexible and that is very tough when national teams play.”
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