The coach Fernando Santos and the player Bruno Fernandes were, this Wednesday, the spokespersons in the preview of Portugal’s first match in the 2022 World Cup.
Bruno Fernandes considers that the Portuguese team “is aware” of what it has to do in the World Cup
Asked about the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes, the captain of the Red Devils, said that the number 7 did not speak with him before making the decision, considering that it is “something that only concerns him and his family “. .
If the decision of the Portuguese striker could raise doubts about the change of focus of the team group, these were dispelled by the midfielder. “Everyone is aware of what we have to do to represent our country as much as possible,” he guaranteed.
The player demonstrated “an enormous honor” to have shared the stage of the national team and the club with “one of his idols”, Cristiano Ronaldo, considering that it was “a dream come true”.
Bruno Fernandes highlighted the “above normal intensity” of the matches, giving the example of Morocco-Croatia, which took place at the same time as the press conference, since they were held at an unusual time, “and at what physical form is the best”.
Close to completing his 50th cap with Portugal, the midfielder says that “the responsibility is enormous” every time he represents the country, but he also speaks of “an inexplicable pride” for the realization of a dream.
On Ghana, Bruno Fernandes expects a “very fast team with a lot of physical strength” and that, in major competitions, “always puts in great performances.” Being the first game, the will to win increases, in the Portuguese perspective, because “everyone wants to win.”
Also on the subject of Cristiano Ronaldo’s termination with Manchester United, Fernando Santos spoke in the same tone as Bruno Fernandes, revealing that all the players of the Portuguese team are still focused.
“This is a fantastic group, they are very convinced of what they have to do, what their objectives are, knowing what to expect” throughout the World Cup. If it is compared with the squad of the competition that was played in Russia and, “despite the fact that the atmosphere has always been good”, the team makes the difference: after the invasion of Alcochete, in May 2018, the players who left the Sporting CP spoke about what happened, which reached all those summoned and “distracted attention”.
In the case of Euro 2020, the Covid-19 and “the many trips” also affected the unity of the group. In 2022, Fernando Santos says that he no longer remembers “seeing 20 players sitting down”, something that, in the coach’s opinion, “is also noticeable in training.”
The Portuguese team plays against Ghana this Thursday, with the kick-off scheduled for 4:00 p.m. The game has a story. TSFfrom Qatar.
Source: TSF
