As the Portugal players continue to assemble at the brand new state-of-the-art Cidade do Futebol training camp on the outskirts of Lisbon, a unifying message has been constantly repeated in the daily press conferences: “Portugal are not favourites, but we have the ambition to win Euro 2016.”
Coach Fernando Santos has adopted this approach of contained confidence ever since he took over from Paulo Bento in September 2014, and his players have all learned their lines well. Can they put it into practice on the pitch? So far, the indications are good.
The Seleção training sessions and press conferences have revealed a squad in good spirits, but the determination and professionalism is palpable and the players appear convinced they can achieve something special in France.
“There are teams at the tournament who are bigger favourites and are more storied than Portugal, but we will do everything to overcome this with a united team, a strong squad and lots of ambition,” said João Moutinho.
The Monaco midfielder was asked about the fierce competition for places in his sector of the team. After lavishing João Mário and Renato Sanches with praise, Moutinho recognised he can no longer take his position in the team for granted. “Status means nothing. I’m here to give my very best, but if I’m not picked I’ll be backing my teammates 100% from the sidelines.”
Final four arrive next week
The bulk of the squad reported for duty on Monday, but Fernando Santos has sanctioned five days of rest after their final match of the season for each player and little by little the numbers have been increasing. Danilo Pereira arrived yesterday, preferring to dispense with one extra day of rest he was entitled to after Sunday’s Portuguese Cup final, bringing the number of players at the training camp located near the Jamor national stadium to 17.
Braga’s Rafa Silva and Wolfsburg’s Vieirinha will arrived today, with Nani and Bruno Alves, who yesterday played in the Turkish Cup final (Fenerbahçe losing 1-0 to Galatasary), joining the group early next week. Captain Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe will be the last players to arrive given that they have the small matter of a Champions League final to play tomorrow in Milan.
Fernando Santos was yesterday asked whether the weight of expectation among the Portuguese public was too high given that Cristiano Ronaldo is part of the team. “I admit that this is a factor, but prefer to look at it from a positive angle rather than in a negative way,” he told Portuguese TV channel Porto Canal.
“Luckily we have a strong base of players, but we need to be a team. Talent wins games, teams win championships. If we match our opponents in passion, organisation and hard work, then our talented players can make the difference.”
Tiago rooting for Portugal
Meanwhile, Atlético Madrid midfielder Tiago Mendes gave his ringing endorsement to Fernando Santos’s decision… to leave him out of the squad.
“I was five and a half months out, and played only 10/15 minutes before the Euro 2016 squad was announced. I think the coach’s decision was completely fair. I’m not in the least bit hurt by missing out. I honestly think I’m not as well prepared as my teammates, so I accept the decision and will be rooting for Portugal.”
The Seleção play the first of three pre-tournament friendlies on Sunday, against Norway at FC Porto’s Estádio do Dragão. Portugal will also play England on 2 June (Wembley, London) and Estonia on 8 June (Estádio da Luz, Lisbon). The first Euro 2016 match is against Iceland on 14 June.
Força Portugal!
By Tom Kundert
