World Cup – Cristiano Ronaldo replacing against Switzerland (6-1)? “It was a strategic choice”, according to Santos

It was a surprise and a real revolution. For the first time since 2008 and a series of 31 ranked matches played as a holder in major competition with Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo started a decisive game on the bench with the Seleção das Quinas. The coup attempted by Fernando Santos was courageous but frankly risky. It paid off in more ways than one.

“A Great Captain”

So, when justifying himself, Fernando Santos did not want to dwell on the case of the fivefold Ballon d’Or. “I already explained myself, I won’t do it againhe first advanced at the microphone of Portuguese public television RTP. They are different players“. But, revived on the subject, he ended up defending his vision: “It was a strategic choice, all players are different and, moreover, I launched Dalot and Raphaël Guerreiro while Cancelo is a fabulous player. This is what I felt was necessary for this match against Switzerland“.

The Portuguese demonstration proved him right and, inevitably, the hot topic of the start of the match became much less controversial when talking about this strong choice. “Cris knows perfectly well, and the coach has said it very clearly, that the most important thing here is ‘we’. And when it’s like that…“, summed up Pepe a few minutes later.

“Cristiano is very important to us and everyone knows that.recalled Bruno Fernandes. We already knew when the manager gave us the team in the dressing room that him being a substitute would be something we would talk about and everyone would ask why.. […] But the goal of the team was to win the game, Cristiano is part of the team and is part of our collective goals“.