Football | OneFootball

André Pinotes Batista dedicated his most recent opinion column to Roberto Martínez, following the National Team's draw against Hungary, two goals each. The commentator, who is a supporter of Sporting, states that he does not forget the coach's decisions related to the Alvalade Club but advocates for his continuity.

"Let it be very clear: I do not appreciate Roberto Martínez's style, I do not like his football, and I appreciate even less the way he manages the call-ups. That being said, it would seem obvious that I am among those waiting for his departure. But no", he begins by writing in the newspaper Record.

Next, Pinotes Batista recalls that he has always targeted the national coach for his decisions 'against' the lions: "I do not forget the indescribable way he treated Quenda, the absurd and long-lasting resistance to calling up Sporting's athletes – then champions and at the peak of their form – or the apparent priority given to market influences outside the game played."

Even so, the commentator, who supports Sporting, stated that he cannot ignore Martínez's achievements so far: "However, and there is always a however, I am unable to ignore the strength of the results, as persistent as the time that confirms them. Since taking the leadership of our National Team, the Spanish coach has accumulated achievements that time will turn into statistics and memory."

"Under his command, Portugal won a Nations League; in the current campaign towards the 2026 World Cup, he has already gathered 10 points in 4 games: leading the group without defeats, presenting the most productive attack and the most solid defense. In 34 official and friendly matches, he has accumulated an absurd and unprecedented series of victories, stability, and competitive calmness that we have not seen in our colors for a long time," Pinotes Batista recalled.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.