Postiga defends Portugal strikers

Helder Postiga says Portugal’s forwards are not responsible for the team’s 1-0 defeat to Germany in Group B of Euro 2012 on Saturday.

Portugal played their part in an absorbing encounter in Lviv but left empty-handed after spurning a succession of gilt-edged opportunities, and striking the woodwork twice, as Mario Gomez scored to seal a 1-0 victory for Germany.

“I obviously feel more responsibility as I play up front and we have gone through the whole game without scoring,” Postiga said.

“But it is sometimes not only down to me. Football is a team sport.”

Real Zaragoza striker Postiga dismissed the suggestion Paulo Bento’s men lack the on important occasions.

“The mentality is not the problem at all,” he said.

“I think we’re fine in that regard. We went out to compete as equals against a powerhouse like Germany and were very close to winning the game.

“There were flaws in our performance but we know sooner or later those opportunities will be transformed into goals. We must be patient.”

Portugal must now aim to defeat Denmark and Postiga knows the onus is on his team to take the game to their opponents, who shocked the Netherlands 1-0 in Group B opener.

“We know that the next game is crucial for us and so we go into it knowing that we have to win,” he said.

“The key is to clear our minds of what happened against Germany. Of course, we must take on board the lessons learned, but we are playing Denmark now and it would be useless to dwell on our previous fixture.”