Portugal Thrashed By Germany, Santos: That's My Strategy And I'm Responsible

Portugal coach Fernando Santos during the Euro 2020 Group F match between Portugal and Germany at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany (AFP/PHILIPP GUELLAND)

JAKARTA - Portugal coach Fernando Santos said he was fully responsible for his team's 2-4 defeat against Germany.

Fernando said the defeat was because Portugal lost in midfield and failed to match two experienced German midfielders Toni Kroos and Ilkay Gundogan in the Euro 2020 group matches.

Cristiano Ronaldo put reigning champions Portugal ahead in the 15th minute before they were crushed by Germany within five minutes of the first half when Ruben Dias and then Raphael Guerreiro slotted the ball into their own net.

Germany relentlessly pushed their way into Portugal's wide-open defense and scored two more goals in the second half after Kroos was untroubled by Portugal's passive midfield when he completed 86 passes.

"We just changed our midfield tactics for this match. We just wanted to put pressure on the midfield players - Gundogan and Kroos - and we wanted our full-backs to come forward", Santos told a news conference as quoted by Reuters from Antara, Sunday, June 20.

“But it was clear that we were always short of extra players in midfield and were pushed. That's my strategy and I take full responsibility for it".

"In the first half, they were only fouled twice. If we can't stop them, if we have problems in possession, then we have problems".

German left-back Robin Gosens also tormented Portugal's defense with his pace and power and delivered an impressive individual display with one goal and one assist.

Despite pointing to several individual errors in his defense throughout the match, Santos did not want to blame his players for the defeat.

Portugal faces group leaders France in a match called a replay of the Euro 2016 final so their fate of progressing from this tournament is still uncertain.

"The players should be able to cover the right side. But I don't want to blame them", said Santos.

"Whether we advance or not, it all depends on us. And we have to respond to that against France".

Germany's win sees them level with Portugal on all three points, one behind group leaders France, ahead of their final group stage game