Fernando Santos did not like “nothing” that he heard from Cristiano Ronaldo when he was substituted, in the game with South Korea, but he resolved the matter “at home”, in other words, in the dressing room. In this sense, he refused to say whether he will keep him as captain and in the starting line-up in the match against Switzerland (today at 7 p.m., RTP1 and Sport TV), in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup. .
The selector’s discomfort comes from Friday, the day Ronaldo was substituted and Portugal lost to South Korea (2-1). At that point, as you can see on the television footage, the captain shot, “You’re in a goddamn hurry to get me out, f***.” A tirade that seemed intended for the coach and quickly went viral on social media. At the time, the coach assured that the player had gone off upset with a South Korean, something CR7 itself confirmed minutes later, in a clarification that only caused more controversy.
Ronaldo’s explanation was unconvincing and yesterday, when asked about it, Fernando Santos clarified what he said at the time in the preview of the game with Switzerland and admitted that he was uncomfortable with the said outburst.: “When the game was over, I went to the flash interview and then went to the conference. I repeat: on the field I heard nothing, he was very far away and I only heard him arguing with the South Korean player. Have I seen the photos? Saw. Did I like it? No, I didn’t like it at all. From that moment on, these matters are resolved at home.”
Do you have confidence in Ronaldo as captain? Will he start against Switzerland? Fernando Santos defended himself. “I only give the team to the players in the stadium, it has always been that way since I arrived here. Moreover, the case is complete, it is solved at home and everyone is available,” the coach replied, forgetting that he has Nuno Mendes and Danilo unavailable due to injury as Otávio has recovered.
After that, and without “wanting to appreciate the polls” that question CR7’s ownership, the coach guaranteed that he always chose the eleven “in conscience” to “serve Portugal to the best of his ability”.
Switzerland and even Korea…
Today only victory counts for Portugal. A defeat takes the team away from the quarter-finals and that huge ambition to become champions on the back of one of the greatest generations ever. And with that historic certainty that he has only twice reached the round of 16 of a World Cup and has reached the semi-finals both times (1966 and 2006). “When you go to eighth, you get closer and closer to the favorites. We always have an obligation, it would be bad, because we play for Portugal. It’s very good to feel that adrenaline. We really want to win “, confessed Fernando Santos, admitting that the call kills – kills does not give you any special “pleasure”.
After analyzing the defeat with South Korea, the coach came to the conclusion that Portugal, “not excellent”, played “very well” in the first half. The problem is that “he was penalized for a corner goal”. Then, in the second half, he was unable to “be that assertive” and was “punished again for another detail”. And because “details make the difference”, especially in a match like Switzerland, the coach says that “it is necessary to eradicate mistakes” to win this duel with an old acquaintance.
The Swiss national team has withdrawn Portugal from the squad last four of the League of Nations already this year and therefore the Portuguese are more than aware of the quality of a squad that has “played together for a long time”, “is very organised” and tries to “go out and play to all its weapons”.
Asked about the lack of a more zealous presence in the more advanced stages of the World Cups, Santos recalled the “very long hiatus, despite the quality” after the 1966 World Cup and the paradigm shift that took place in the 1990s: “For “20 years we have always been in the final stages. But that’s the story. With the exception of Spain, the others have come as far as we have. Today we have a better chance to reach the final and win.”
Looking at the round of 16 and who has already reached the quarter-finals, who is the favorite to win the 2022 World Cup? “Portugal.” And the selection you liked the most so far? “Portugal.”
The national coach also praised Rafael Leão, “a player par excellence, with enormous potential who will have a very strong career”, and who has made “a fantastic effort” in training to overcome “the normal difficulties of someone playing in a football against to go”. club where there is freedom and where the game is not so balanced”.
If Rafael Leão is going to play… it remains to be seen. Incidentally, the possible substitutions in eleven – four or five – were not discussed, but the return of Rúben Dias is certain. The centre-back admitted that the players trained on penalties from day one because they always believed that they would reach the knockout stage and that penalties could determine the winner.
Rúben Dias is one of the yellow cards in the group, along with Danilo (injured), Rúben Neves, Bruno Fernandes and João Félix, guaranteeing that the team is “aware that there is no room for error” and that the game with the Swiss is decided in the details: “We are ready and let them come.”
Source: DN
