Africa-Press – Uganda. Fernando Santos has admitted Portugal are already playing catch-up with Belgium today, with Cristiano Ronaldo and their last-16 opponents two days ahead in their recovery.
Portugal occupied every position in the group during their 2-2 draw with France on a dramatic night, but eventually finished third and consequently must will take on Roberto Martinez’s men in Seville.
The round of 16 clash will give Ronaldo the chance to become the record goalscorer at international level after he equalled Iran’s Ali Daei’s tally of 109 with a brace against France.
Santos struggled to hide his frustration at a quick turnaround, especially with Belgium concluding their group on Monday.
Recovery days
“Resting is very important. We will have to mitigate this 48-hour difference,” he said.
“We want to recuperate the players and have them fresh for the next match. I thought for what they played today, they have managed to recharge their mental batteries and right now we have to eliminate the fatigue.
“We are going to face very high temperatures but this is not a handicap for us. We are going to study our opponent.‘We already know them but we will see what changed and we will prepare this match with our idea to progress.’
A Ronaldo double from the penalty spot was cancelled out by two goals from his former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema on Wednesday, as a draw for France was enough to secure top-spot in Group F.
Belgium are looking scary this summer, with three wins from three in the group phase as their talented attack fired-in seven goals. However, Thomas Vermaelen believes it is unfair that Belgium had to travel for all their games.
Vermaelen angry
The Group B winners played in St Petersburg twice and Copenhagen while England, Spain, Italy and Germany are among those given three home fixtures. “Unfortunately you have teams who play all their group games in their own country, so I think it’s not completely fair,” said former Arsenal defender Vermaelen.
“Travelling doesn’t have a good influence on your body. We had to come back from Russia which is a three-hour flight after a late game, so it’s not helping us.
“But it’s something we have to accept and deal with. We won’t moan as a team or as players. It’s something that belongs to this tournament.”
As earlier stated, Belgium’s last 16 match will be in Seville.
Of greater concern for Roberto Martinez and his players is the state of the pitch at La Cartuja stadium after Spain complained the dry surface slowed down their passing. Martinez said on Tuesday: ‘What we heard is that the pitch isn’t up to the condition Spain expected.
“I hope there is time to rectify it because in games of this quality you need a fantastic surface. “There have been a few concerns. It seems it has improved from the first game Spain played. It was a lot better in the second and is expected to be a lot better for the third.
Euro Last 16 fixtures
Saturday, June 26 in Amsterdam
Wales 0-4 Denmark
In London:
Italy 2-1 Austria
Sunday, June 27 in Budapest
Netherlands v Czech Republic, 7pm
In Seville, Spain
: Belgium v Portugal, 10pm
Monday, June 28 in Copenhagen
Croatia v Spain, 7pm
In Bucharest
: France v Switzerland, 10pm
Tuesday, June 29 in London
England v Germany, 7pm
In Glasgow, Scotland:
Sweden v Ukraine, 10 pm
