Midfielder Bernardo Silva recalled on Saturday that Portugal went through many difficulties the last time they played in Luxembourg and took on the goal of making a “dominant” performance in the qualifying match for Euro 2024 soccer.
“We expect a difficult game. The last time we were here we went through a lot of difficulties. Luxembourg haven’t lost in seven games. Our job is to play a dominant game, control the game and create chances to win.” said Bernardo Silva.
The 28-year-old spoke to reporters at a press conference ahead of Sunday’s game at the Stade de Luxembourg, on matchday two of Group J.
Silva was referring to Portugal’s 3-1 victory in Luxembourg on March 30, 2021, at the time it counted for the qualifying phase for the World Cup in Qatar, in which the team was at a disadvantage for practically the entire first time, with Diogo Jota restoring the tie just after halftime and with Cristiano Ronaldo and João Palhinha scoring the remaining goals of the second half.
“Everybody can have bad and big days. That’s why football is a sport we love so much. There can always be a surprise. Our job is to make sure that doesn’t happen,” said the Manchester City midfielder.
One game away from reaching 80 caps, Bernardo Silva spoke of the elimination in the last World Cup and assumed that it was a disappointment.
“Now we are motivated, but it was difficult for all of us to be eliminated in the last World Cup. It has been necessary to reflect and assimilate the situation. That ended. Now we want to be in the Eurocup to be able, once again, to fight for the title,” he said.
Bernardo also confessed to being “proud” of having been “promoted” by the new coach Roberto Martínez to the group of captains of the Portuguese team.
At the start of Group J, at the Estádio José Alvalade, Portugal thrashed Liechtenstein, 4-0, with a ‘double’ from captain Cristiano Ronaldo and goals from João Cancelo and Bernardo Silva, while Luxembourg obtained a surprise draw in Slovakia ( 0-0).
The match is scheduled for Sunday at 7:45 p.m. (8:45 p.m. local time) at the Stade de Luxembourg, a modern venue inaugurated in July 2021, and will be refereed by the Romanian Radu Petrescu.
Source: TSF
