CARRYING MAN: Red Devil Bruno Fernandes becomes ‘Fighting machine’ when Man United star tackles 100%, wins 4 duels in Portugal’s loss to Croatia
In a friendly match preceding Euro 2024, Portugal suffered a 2-1 defeat to Croatia, with Bruno Fernandes, the captain of Manchester United, playing 70 minutes.
Luka Modric of Real Madrid scored a penalty shot eight minutes into the match, breaking the deadlock.
The goalies of both teams were subjected to testing for the majority of the contest. Diogo Costa and Dominik Livakovic both required exceptional interventions between the posts.
Only three minutes after the break, Liverpool’s Diogo Jota restored the score to parity. He struck the goal by precisely timing his spectacular cross across the goal. Croatia, on the other hand, appeared unconcerned and promptly received their recompense.
Costa executed a remarkable save to prevent a powerful effort, but he was unable to command the ball successfully. He was only able to parry it onto Ante Budimir’s path, who was only too pleased to head it in from close range.
Fernandes achieved an individual pass completion rate of 88% by effectively completing 43 of the 49 passes he attempted during his time on the pitch, accumulating 67 touches of the ball. One of his crucial passes was a key pass.
The 29-year-old, who started in a midfield trio also consisting of Joao Palhinha and Vitinha, tried to find a Portugal teammate with two crosses and six long balls. Fernandes successfully connected with four of the long balls he pinged. None of his crosses came off.
The United skipper had just one shot to his name but it was off-target and didn’t really challenge Livakovic.
Fernandes completed the one dribble he embarked on and won four of the six ground duels he delved into. His other defensive contributions include making one clearance and putting in three times as many tackles. He also blocked two shots.
The playmaker lined up alongside United teammate Diogo Dalot, who was taken off at half-time and replaced by Nelson Semedo.
Dalot made just one tackle and won half of his contests on the ground. He delivered two of the seven crosses he made and also the one long ball he tried.
The right-back touched the ball on 37 occasions.
Unfortunately for Fernandes and Dalot, their efforts were not enough. They will however be looking to make amends when the Selecao face Ireland on Tuesday in yet another friendly encounter before they finally kickstart their Euro 2024 campaign.
