Portugal coach Fernando Santos will make numerous changes to the facet held to a surprise 1-1 draw through eu Championship debutants Iceland in their organization F opener while his team take on Austria in Paris on Saturday.
“We want to refresh the group,” Santos told a news conference on Wednesday. He stated he deliberate to make two or three modifications however declined to offer information.
group favourites Portugal had taken the lead in opposition to Iceland in St Etienne on Tuesday before a 2nd-half equaliser from Birkir Bjarnason came towards the run of play.
“It was disappointing but we aren’t going to lose desire due to the fact we have been by no means euphoric,” Santos stated. “I admit that this turned into now not what we anticipated however we need to move forward.”
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The instruct stated he was confident approximately the suit against Austria, who misplaced their opener 2-0 to Hungary.
“we are going to play an high-quality sport towards Austria and we’re going to win,” Santos stated.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who won his 127th cap and equalled the Portuguese record set via Luis Figo on Tuesday, had a quiet night time in opposition to Iceland by means of his requirements.
The 31-year-antique forward, who scored fifty one goals in 48 games in all competitions for actual Madrid, said after the sport that he turned into now not gambling in his desired function with the national team and he needed to adapt to play at the wing.
requested about Ronaldo’s remarks, Santos stated: “Ronaldo is not a winger or a centre-forward but a finisher. bodily he may be very well. I give Ronaldo entire freedom so that he can deliver.”