It's their fault and there's no doubt about it. But at the same time, we can't overlook the fact that they were just plain unlucky. In the first phase, they were included in a group that had strong teams like Serbia. And now for the playoffs, they need to face a super-strong Italy. I have already posted about this, but just feeling bad that so many good teams from UEFA and CONMEBOL are failing to qualify. It's not their fault that they're being placed along strong teams, unlike the case with AFC or the CAF.
You're being ironic, aren't you? Portugal is in 8th place in the FIFA ranking, while Serbia is in 25th.
Since when is Servia a strong enough team, so that life is difficult for Portugal?
Of course, Serbia has quality, but the Portuguese team has a much higher quality. Portugal has one of the best midfielders in the world, if not the best - Ruben Dias, in addition to João Cancelo. He has a midfield that is the envy of any team: Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva. And in attack there's Diogo Jota and Ronaldo.
But because of the coach's stubbornness, he always set up the team with players out of their usual positions, and that only harmed the team in the decisive games. Portugal should never have drawn 0-0 with Ireland, let alone lost the last game with Serbia.
It is true that he was wronged in the first game against Serbia, where they drew 2-2, having been a goal badly canceled in the last minute. But honestly, will Portugal draw or lose with Serbia?
If Serbia is strong, then what about Spain, Italy, Germany, Argentina or Brazil? It's better if they don't go to the world cup, it's less shameful for the country.
He believes that in Portugal, many are unhappy with the coach's tactical choices.