‘Plays the full 90 minutes’ – Portugal coach reveals one player guaranteed to start against Super Eagles

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, manager Roberto Martínez confirmed that Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa is set to play the full 90 minutes in their friendly against the Super Eagles on Wednesday evening. 

With 42 caps to his name and having played every minute of Portugal’s World Cup qualifying matches, Costa is the national team’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper.

However, the 26-year-old has not featured for Portugal in their last three games, missing the matches against Mexico and United States due to an adductor injury, and was only an unused substitute against Chile on Sunday, June 6.

Martínez made it clear that while Portugal will rotate several players during the friendly against the Super Eagles to manage workload and assess squad depth, but Costa’s role between the posts is guaranteed for the entire duration of the match.

In quotes relayed by A Bola, he told reporters: “Our focus is on the individual, giving minutes to the players who need them. The first objective is to get the players onto the plane to Miami prepared for the World Cup. We want to win. We have an opportunity to work on aspects that I think are similar to those against Congo. They are a demanding opponent, it’s another test.

“We will adjust during the game; the idea is that Diogo Costa plays the full 90 minutes and the other players get minutes.”

Costa was included in Portugal’s matchday squad the last time they faced Nigeria but remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes, with former Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Rui Patrício preferred in goal.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel