Bruno Fernandes: Stepping Up Once More for Portugal

Portugal encountered a challenging Tuesday evening as they began their Euro 2024 journey with a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in Leipzig. Despite Roberto Martinez's known preference for expansive football, he chose a more cautious approach, employing a back three in a versatile 3-4-1-2 formation. This tactical arrangement saw Cristiano Ronaldo and Rafael Leao operating as split strikers. However, as the game unfolded, Portugal found themselves with six forwards on the pitch, raising questions about the effectiveness of Martinez's strategy for this particular match.

Bruno Fernandes, usually utilized as an advanced playmaker, found himself playing deeper alongside Vitinha. This role demanded more ground coverage from the Manchester United midfielder to orchestrate attacks, frequently leaving Portugal's midfield outnumbered by the Czech defense. While Fernandes has previous experience in a box-to-box capacity, this tactical adjustment appeared somewhat unorthodox for a player of his attacking prowess within the national team framework.

Initially constrained by his deeper position, Bruno Fernandes demonstrated his exceptional skills by showcasing his creative prowess and orchestrating Portugal's best chances in the first half. Fernandes unleashed a powerful, dipping shot that narrowly cleared the bar, while his precise cross was almost converted by a stretching Leao. These moments highlighted Fernandes' ability to adapt and excel, even when playing in a deeper role.

However, Fernandes candidly acknowledged that his performance was not at its best, admitting responsibility for Portugal's inefficiency in the first half.

"We made several mistakes in the first half, especially me. Taking risks has its pros and cons. I understand that," the midfielder explained during an interview with reporters in the mixed zone after the victory.

"But when I do find the opportunity to make a pass, I have confidence in the quality of our forward players to score," he continued.

"So, I'm not overly concerned about mistakes because it's part of the game. My teammates support me because they know it's one of my strengths."

Despite the challenges of his role, Fernandes remained faithful to his style of play. Much like his role at Manchester United where he orchestrates attacks, the Portuguese star was instrumental in driving the team's offensive efforts. Just before halftime, he combined brilliantly with Bernardo Silva to deliver a precise pass to Cristiano Ronaldo at the far post. However, the Czech goalkeeper Jindřich Staněk thwarted the talismanic forward's attempt.