Munich: Belgian coach Roberto Martínez praised his players’ efforts in their 2-1 Euro 2021 quarter-final defeat to Italy on Friday but said it did not really create opportunities until the second half when a small margin decided the panting meeting.
Italy scored two goals from Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Insigne before Romelu Lukaku Belgium converted a penalty, all before the round.
Both parties had the opportunity to score after the break but Italy lasted for the 13th consecutive victory to extend their record unbeaten for 32 matches.
“Italy is a team that has developed last month.
You can see victory to build a lot of strength,” Martinez told a press conference.
“This allows them to start the first semester get better.
In the second half we get into the game better and we can create opportunities.” Martinez also gave Start Jeremy Doku and his living performance caused the problem for the Azzurri defense all night.
He threatened the equalizer late when he cut from the wing to whip the shot into the goal, but it flew inches above the bar.
Doku also won the first semester penalty for Belgium and Martinez told the player toggle who imposed a 19-year-old future.
“Jeremy has grown in the camp and the last three days he shows he is ready as you can see today,” Martinez said.
“It’s clear that he has the energy we can use.
He never looked like a young player in the match.
I didn’t think that chance to him.” Martinez got rid of questions about his future, by saying the first thing he wanted to do was analyze what was wrong.
“The feeling is sadness and disappointment because I don’t feel like these players have to get out of this tournament.
The players do everything they can to get as far as we can,” he said.
“It’s two teams that are very good at this knockout stage and margin go to them.”