Paulo Bento, Portugal coach
We weren’t very efficient in possession in the first 20 to 25 minutes. Then we took control of the game, increasingly dominated, and picked up the pace. We showed great quality in the second half. We dominated throughout, and when you dominate, you have to be clinical both up front and at the back. We showed that at various moments in the second half. It wasn’t so apparent after the interval that the Czechs had had a day’s extra rest.
After the break, we were looking to create more opportunities to shoot on goal. This game was very different to the one against the Netherlands. It was no surprise to us that the Czechs defended deep. At half-time, I highlighted some things that we could change in attack. I wanted the players to show what they showed in the final 20 minutes of the first half throughout the second. We knew we could create a lot of chances if they did this. We came back out in great shape, it was a great response in the second half.
In the semi-finals of a great tournament like this, there is always a great team with different characteristics, players of great quality, and well-drilled organisation. We don’t mind who we play. It was a lot of work to get to the semi-finals, so we’ll try to recover the best we can to get out on the pitch in the best condition. We have already played in Ukraine, now we’ll go to Donetsk. We have our aim: it’s to win against Spain or France. There can’t be any other goal for us, and we’ll try to do it.
