“Portugal has an obligation to be better than others”
“ONE trust is good. This week it was possible to work a little more or that it is not possible to work sometimes. The group is confident. Portugal is full of talent and has an obligation to be better than the others. It’s a good and important weight. We have good touch, a lot of possession, that’s different from the other teams and we have to prove it on the field, obviously”, said the Belenenses SAD player, in a press conference.
The season that ended was productive for the 22-year-old, with three goals and two assists in 34 matches in the I Liga. lisboeta ended up being relegated to the second lineup, however, a club that seems to have already been overtaken.
“Unfortunately, I’ve already turned the page. I have to be with the national team and the under-21s focused on the game with a team more focused on the mind”, which is the most important thing on the page.
The son of former player Ricardo Sousa, the current coach of Mafra, and the grandson of former footballer António Sousa, confesses that he is the father who ends up following his deliveries more closely.
“I think it’s my father. My grandfather is a person who doesn’t say much, he only speaks when he thinks he has to give an opinion. My father is a person who criticizes a lot, it’s hard to give a compliment, but that’s good and – grow me”, outline.
For the clashes with Belarus, Liechtenstein and Greece, the team equipped by Rui Jorge has to “improve in what they weren’t so good in previous matches”, according to the midfielder, to win the three remaining games and be present in the European Championship.
European vice-champions The under-21s complete their qualification for the continental competition in June, which will take place in Romania and Georgia, in 2023, with three Group 4 matches: trips to Belarus, on June 4th, and Liechtenstein, in June 7th, and reception to Greece, scheduled for the Cidade de Barcelos Stadium, on June 11th.
Portugal leads the group with 19 points, followed by Greece with 17, while Iceland and Belarus have nine. Cyprus, with eight, and Liechtenstein, still without any points added, occupied the last two positions. The first placed teams of each group qualify directly, while the second ones compete in a ‘play-off’.