DPA
Frankfurt
Portugal coach Roberto Martínez has shrugged off the debate about the condition of the Frankfurt pitch ahead of their Euro 2024 last 16 match against Slovenia.
The slippery pitch has been criticised by several teams, with Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann also highlighting a injury risk for players.
Martinez told reporters on Sunday: “The pitch is as it is. It’s the fifth game on this pitch. We believe that UEFA and everyone involved will do everything they can to ensure that we have the best possible pitch conditions.” The 2016 champions Portugal enter the match as Group F winners although they lost their final match 2-0 against Georgia, where Martínez fielded several reserves.
Slovenia advanced as third-place finishers from Group D where they drew all 3 matches.
Portugal player Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to find the net at the tournament in Germany as he aims to become the first man to score at six Euros and at 39 the oldest in event history.
‘Not finished yet’: Slovenia
Slovenia are entering their first ever knock-out match at the Euros with a lot of pride and not afraid of their last 16 opponents Portugal with their superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
“This is a new milestone for the Slovenian national team, for Slovenia as a whole,” midfielder Adam Gnezda Cerin told reporters on the eve of Monday’s match in Frankfurt.
“I think the match will be a nice evening for all of us because you dream of such matches as a little child.”
Slovenia reached the last 16 with draws in Group D against Denmark, Serbia and England, and are underdogs against Group F winners Portugal.
But Gnezda Cerin said the match is not to become the end of their journey in Germany, insisting that “we are not finished yet.”
