Roberto Martinez was delighted with how Portugal dealt with Vitinha’s first-half absence of their 0-0 draw with Mexico.
Vitinha got here on as a half-time substitute in Saturday’s stalemate in Mexico Metropolis.
Regardless of not taking part in the complete sport, Vitinha recorded the second-most touches (74) of any participant, whereas trying (70) and finishing (67) the second-most passes.
No participant performed as many passes into the ultimate third because the Paris Saint-Germain star (27), both.
However Martinez was nonetheless happy to see how Portugal managed with out the playmaker within the first half, wherein they posted 0.63 anticipated objectives (xG) to Mexico’s 0.12.
“Vitinha is a superb participant,” Martinez stated. “He is aware of the best way to management the ball, defend the sport with the ball, and take the sport the place we want it to go.
“We needed to see if we may see Portugal controlling the sport with out Vitinha. And I used to be more than happy. However sure, it’s true that he’s a key participant for us.”
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With Cristiano Ronaldo absent from Portugal’s squad because of harm, Paulinho, who now performs in Mexico with Toluca, got here on from the bench for his fourth cap.
The 33-year-old didn’t handle to have a shot, however Martinez was impressed along with his show.
“What stunned me wasn’t what he can convey to the nationwide crew, however how shortly he understood the group,” Martinez stated of the striker.
“He built-in very nicely into the locker room. He’s a participant who would match nicely in any nationwide crew on this planet.
“The issue is that right here, he has in entrance of him maybe one of the best participant of all time for Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo, and a participant like Goncalo Ramos, who gained the Champions League.
“It was superb to work with him, and at present he confirmed that he’s in one of the best second of his profession.
“He’s a really clever participant who creates house along with his closing actions, and it’s superb for us to have a participant like him.”
