The Spanish newspaper Marca is advancing this Monday with the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo by Al-Nassr, but Fernando Santos assures that he has not yet spoken with the captain about this transfer.
“I didn’t talk to him about it, nor did I know it. It’s his decision and it’s his business, but he’s fully focused here on the World Cup, that’s what we talked about. Tomorrow will be a tremendously difficult and tough game, but Portugal believes that going to win”, said Fernando Santos, in the press conference prior to Tuesday’s game against Switzerland.
Regarding Ronaldo’s alleged complaints about being substituted in the match against South Korea, the coach stated that he had not heard anything said by the Madeiran, but he had already seen the images and did not like what he saw.
“I was far away and I only heard him arguing with the Korean player. But I have listened to the images and I did not like anything, the truth is nothing. These matters are resolved at home, they are resolved, ”he stressed.
However, it guarantees that this situation does not put Ronaldo’s ownership at risk.
“I only hand over the equipment to the players when I get to the locker room and tomorrow it will be the same. The matter is finished, everyone is available, ”she stressed.
Rúben Dias, for his part, considers that Portugal is in good shape and, as they have just come out of a group stage in which they finished first, not much will have to change for the round of 16.
“Every time we have to tighten the focus more and be more prepared so that the matches are decided in the details. We are ready, let them come, ”he said.
As for the aim in penalties, if the game has to be resolved that way, the defender guarantees that the team is prepared.
“Aiming is something that we have always kept in mind and have been practicing. We expect a high-level game, especially taking into account the competition and the moment we are in. We are focused on ourselves and we are perfectly aware of what the Swiss team wants to bring to the game”, stressed Rúben Dias.
The Portuguese international also acknowledges feeling a lot of warmth and support from the Qataris who have been present at the matches.
“I appreciate the support they have given us and the passion they transmit for our team. We hope to be able to count on more and more support from now on”, said the Portuguese defender.
For Tuesday, he expects a different game than the last two that the team played against Switzerland, mainly because the rival will want to play the game “at 50/50”. Despite being one of the players at risk of exclusion for the quarterfinals, due to the accumulation of yellow cards, Rúben considers that it is a matter of being used to playing with the pressure of this type of situation.
“This is a context in which, if we have to wait for the correct yellow card, I will do it. It’s something that’s in our heads, but it’s part of the game. We have to be able to play with that freedom and concentration, which is what we want.” . always have. ”, she assures.
This Monday, the Portuguese soccer team performs the last training session before the confrontation with Switzerland, in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup, in a match that should not only include the casualties of Danilo Pereira and Nuno Mendes.
The Portuguese coach, Fernando Santos, has counted on midfielder Otávio this Sunday for the first time since he was injured in the victorious debut against Ghana (3-2) in the World Cup, and he is only deprived of Danilo and Nuno Mendes, who are It is unlikely that he will participate again in this final phase and continue to treat his injuries.
The training is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. local time (3:00 p.m. in Lisbon), on the grass of the Al-Shahaniya training center, located on the outskirts of Doha, and will be open to journalists for the first 15 minutes.
On Friday, the Chinese team lost 2-1 to South Korea, led by Paulo Bento, in the last match of Group H, but remained in first place, with six points, while the Asians secured second place, with four, and also continued. to the next phase, in which they will face Brazil.
Source: TSF
