Portugal Boss Craves For Ronaldo

By Nigel Philip

Fernando Santos has dismissed suggestions his side beat Poland 3-2 because Cristiano Ronaldo was not in the squad.

The Portugal coach believes however that the national team is not better off without the talisman and captain.

Krzysztof Piatek shot Poland ahead in the 18th minute, but Andrea Silva equalised in the 31st minute before Kami Glik put the visitors ahead with an own goal in the 43rd minute.

Bernardo Silva made it 3-1 in the 52nd minute, and Jakub Blaszczykowski pulled one back for Poland in the 77th minute, as Portugal won their second straight game of the UEFA Nations League.

Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to play in the new competition as he continues to enjoy a break from the national team, and Santos insists his side is not better off without the Juventus icon.

"No team can be better without the best in the world," says Santos. "It's not worth talking about who's not there."

"When Cristiano plays, he is more advanced on the left side and gives us more ability to finish."

"When he plays we have to find a solution to get the ball to him and when he comes inside we have to have a player to cover on the left. This is how we will continue."

"We started well, controlled the ball, but conceded a goal. It could have been a difficult time, but the team stayed calm, controlled the rhythms."

"We scored the third goal and then there was a little issue with losing the ball in dangerous zones. We had a lot of problems."

"Portugal has only one focus, to win, the results in official matches show this."

"We do not get to be a European champion without wanting to win. A few times [we are] more defensive, others more offensive, but you have to defend well, otherwise you will not win.”