Coach Fernando Santos clarified on Friday that Rafa Silva had initially asked for an exemption from the League of Nations podium and later informed the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) that he would resign from the main team from the corners.
“I received a message from Rafa that for personal reasons he was not available to participate in the internship and the coach is responsible for respecting what the decision is.”Fernando Santos explained at the start of the press conference ahead of the game against the Czech Republic, the penultimate player in Group A2.
Rafa, 29, ended his career in the Portuguese national team on Monday, after 25 caps for the main team, citing “personal reasons”, but only this Friday did the Portuguese coach comment on the Benfica player’s decision.
“We have to respect it, it’s the most important thing. I’ve always had a great relationship with Rafa, as with all the players in the national team. That’s what happened,” he added.
The appeal from debutant Goncalo Ramos, who also plays for Benfica, was to solve Joao Félix’s physical problems, according to Fernando Santos, who guaranteed the absence of the Atletico de Madrid striker for Saturday’s game.
“What happened was that on the first day of the stage I realized that Félix could hardly be in this game. The arrival of Goncalo Ramos had to do with Félix. Let’s see if it will be in Spain before the game, but [o Gonçalo Ramos] did not come as a replacement for Rafa,” he assured.
The resignation of the experienced central Pepe, due to physical problems, also deserved an explanation from the coach, who did not consider it necessary to call a replacement, as he has at his disposal Rúben Dias, Tiago Djaló and Danilo, a native midfielder has .
About the opponent, Fernando Santos recalled the Czechs’ victory over Switzerland (2-1) and the draw with Spain (2-2), respectively in the first and second rounds, and warned of the “huge problems”.
“[A República Checa] they have high quality players, they are a team that knows what they are doing and always causes huge problems. In Portugal it was like that and there were three, four and five situations. I expect a similar team, but we have to look at ourselves and impose our game,” he emphasized.
The match between Czechs and Portuguese, on Saturday, will start at 19:45 (in Lisbon), in the Eden Arena, in Prague, and will be whistled by the Serbian Srdjan Jovanovic. In the sixth and final round, which is scheduled for Tuesday, Portugal will receive Spain in Braga.
Portugal is in second place in Group A2 after four rounds of the League of Nations, with seven points, after triumphing over Switzerland (4-0) and the Czech Republic (2-0), both in Lisbon, a draw in Seville, with Spain (1 -1), and a defeat in Geneva, against the Swiss (1-0).
Spain is the group leader with eight points, while the Czech Republic is third with four and Switzerland last with three.
The ‘quinas’ team, winner of the first edition of the League of Nations, in 2019, must win the group to reach the ‘final four’ of the third edition, the second is won by France, in a final with Spain, for 2021.
The four group winners of League A qualify for the final phase, which consists of the semi-finals, the final and the prize-giving ceremony for third place. The ‘final four’ of the third edition of the race will be held in June 2023.
Source: DN
