Fernando Santos admitted today that he has already seen the footage of Cristiano Ronaldo’s outburst and that he “didn’t like anything” from what he saw and heard, but assured that the matter was “solved at home” and declined to say whether he will remain the player as captain and starter in the game against Switzerland (Tuesday at 7:00 PM), in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup.
On Friday, Portugal lost to South Korea (2-1), in a match in which Cristiano Ronaldo was substituted in the 65th minute. 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 diatribe that seemed destined for the selector and quickly went viral. When questioned about this, the coach assured that the player had left angrily with a South Korean, something the player later confirmed in a clarification guaranteeing that the irritation was with the opponent pushing for a quick exit.
CR7’s explanation was not convincing. When Santos was asked about it today, in the preview of the game with Switzerland, he divided the situation into two parts and admitted that he was uncomfortable with the said outburst: “When the game was over, I went to the flash 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. Did I seen the footage? I have. Did I like it? No, I didn’t like it at all. It was solved at home. From that moment on, these matters are solved at home and from there it is thinking about tomorrow’s game. where everyone is on focused.”
Do you have confidence in him as captain? Are you the boss? “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 had Nuno Mendes and Danilo is unavailable due to an injury.
As for Ronaldo going to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, the coach said he didn’t know. “I don’t know, I didn’t talk to him about it. I talked to the players, but it has nothing to do with this issue. I didn’t even know, I found out a while ago. It’s his decision .” , his question, he is completely focused on the World Cup, on helping the team.”
Who is the favorite at the 2022 World Cup? “Portugal.”
Returning to the round of 16 match… Fernando Santos recalled that Switzerland’s assistant coach said with “all authority” that “Switzerland were favourites” in the game against Portugal. And that is also the feeling in the bosom of the Portuguese seaside resort: “If we go to eighth, we are getting closer and closer to the favorites. We always have an obligation, that would be a shame, because we play for Portugal. It is very good to feel that adrenaline. a lot.”
The engineer has no special “joy” for the so-called knockout round and analyzed the defeat with South Korea. “I came to the conclusion that we played very well in the first half. It wasn’t excellent, but we were penalized for a corner kick. In the second half we couldn’t be as assertive, but we continued well and were penalized for another detail difference, much more so in a game like Switzerland,” he warned, not wanting to appreciate the polls questioning CR7’s ownership: “In conscience, I always put the team that should play on the field. I’m fine with life. The only thought I’ve had since I arrived, in 2014, is to serve Portugal to the best of my ability.”
The Swiss team has knocked Portugal out of the last four of the League of Nations this year and so the Portuguese are more than aware of the quality of the Swiss, who have “played together for a long time”, “are very organised” and “know the game” . And according to the national coach, just look at the duel with Serbia. “Losing 2-1, they never lost North, they went into the game with serenity. I expect a Switzerland that knows very well what they want. I don’t see them as defensive. It’s a team that systematically leaves possession , has never been tempted to hit for long, it’s not a dizzying team like Korea used to be. It’s a team that tries to go out and play to use all its weapons,” praised Santos, recalling that it is necessary to make mistakes exterminate.
Fernando Santos also praised Rafael Leão, “a player par excellence, has huge potential and will have a very strong career”, who has made “a fantastic effort” in training, to “face the normal difficulties of someone who plays in a club where he has a certain freedom and that doesn’t balance the game very much”.
Asked about the lack of regularity in performance, he recalled the “very long break, despite the quality” after the 1966 World Cup and the change of paradigm: “We have always been in the last phase for 20 years. But that’s history of football. With the exception of Spain, which was the team that performed the most, the others arrived as often as we did. Thinking week after week, we reduce the teams. Today we have a greater chance of reaching the final and to win.”
Looking at the round of 16 and who has already reached the quarter-finals, who is the favorite at the 2022 World Cup? “Portugal.” And the selection you liked the most so far? “Portugal.”
Players practiced penalties
Rúben Dias confessed that the players have been training on penalties since the beginning of concentration for the 2022 World Cup as they always believed they would pass the group stage and reach the knockout stage where the penalty shootout can take place. The central defender guaranteed that the team is “aware that there is no room for error” and that it will be a game to “decide in the details: we are ready and they will come”.
Rúben already works with Pepe, Danilo, António… what changes? “Little details of each of us change. We are all very good, but each in our own way. Above all, the understanding between everyone is good. It was António’s first time here, but due to his quality, the integration was fast. We are ready to react when necessary, but it’s not up to me to make the decision. I have to be willing to give my best and play with everyone,” said the Manchester City centre-back.
Source: DN
