Fernando Santos says Cristiano Ronaldo was not in Portugal squad for Tuesday's 6-1 win over Switzerland . Santos said he expected a tough game against Morocco in the quarterfinals .
Coach Fernando Santos of Portugal said leaving Cristiano Ronaldo out of his squad for Tuesday's 6-1 victory over Switzerland in the World Cup last 16 was nothing more than strategic.Santos had expressed disappointment with Ronaldo's decision to be suspended in the final group stage match against South Korea, but said the situation was unlikely.It was closed, I said it was closed.Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best players in the country playing professionally and as a captain, and we must just think about this team as a whole, he said.
He is a very important player to have in the team, he said.Santos said he expected a tough game against Morocco in the quarterfinals but that his team was clearly in good shape.If we can continue like this and improve some things, he said.That's a good start.