Fernando Santos got annoyed at the insistence on questions about Cristiano Ronaldo, but ended up confirming: the Portuguese star «is well and will play» this Thursday, November 14, against Lithuania, at Estádio Algarve. A game that, guaranteed the national football coach, Portugal «will win».
This will be a crucial match for the team from the corners on the way to the 2020 European Championship. In case of victory, Portugal can even guarantee qualification for the European Championship, if Serbia does not beat Luxembourg.
First of all, Portugal has to do its job – win.
«Portugal is favorite, due to the quality of its players. Now you have to demonstrate it on the field. With more or less difficulty, the goals will appear and Portugal will win the game. That's my conviction,” he said at the preview press conference.
For this game, Fernando Santos expects an opponent who will «defence well and try their luck on the counterattack».
«We have to be a very dynamic team, in offensive terms, with exploration of all spaces, taking advantage of all the qualities of our players at various times. We also have to have this ability to win individual duels and not allow the opponent to leave», he considered.
But, in recent days, there is one theme that has dominated Portugal's preparation stage: Cristiano Ronaldo's physical condition.
Maurício Sarri, coach of Juventus, the club where the Portuguese player plays, revealed a few days ago that Ronaldo has not been doing well physically. Added to this is the fact that Cristiano was angry, in the last Juventus game, for being substituted early in the second half.
Ingredients that have fueled a soap opera that Fernando Santos doesn't want to hear about. Faced with Ronaldo's physical condition, the coach still responded…but in a resentful way.
«Everyone likes to talk about Cristiano Ronaldo, to make guesses because he is the best in the world. Point. If it was another player, none of this was said. Cristiano is here, he's called up, he's fine and he's going to play», he guaranteed.
Then, it was the turn of a Spanish journalist to also ask a question about Ronaldo – who, as you know, spent many years at Real Madrid.
Then the broth spilled and Fernando Santos did not want to come back to the subject. "I have already answered. This is a conference about Portugal, it's not Cristiano's», he shot bluntly.
With the Ronaldo chapter closed, the national selector made a point of highlighting the support of the fans. The Estádio do Algarve is already sold out.
“It has been very good to have the stadium full, in various parts of Portugal and abroad. It's always good for players to feel that support from the public, what is usually called the 12th player. It's important,” he said.
Rúben Neves also went to the press room at the Estádio Algarve. The Wolverhampton midfielder assured that the team is aware of the "difficulties" they will face against Lithuania.
“It's a defensive team that will exploit the counterattack a lot. It's up to us to stay focused and correct what we did wrong in Lithuania, to get the three points», he said.
This is a goal to which Rúben Neves wants to make his contribution (with or without goals).
“I hope to be able to help my team and my team in every game. I train every day for this. It doesn't matter who scores, what matters is winning and giving more joy to the Portuguese», he concluded.
The game against Lithuania is scheduled for 19:45. After this match, the selection will play the last qualifying game for the Euro, on Sunday, in Luxembourg.
Photos: Pedro Lemos | Sul Informação
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