THE BALL – «Seleção has exceptional individual quality in all positions» (Portugal)
Coach João Tralhão is confident that the National Team has weighty arguments to move forward in the World Cup, but warns against Swiss weapons such as offensive transitions.
– What are the strengths of the National Team?
– Exceptional individual quality in all positions; the solutions and spaces we create in the inner zones are complex for the opponent’s defender; ability to create imbalances in the outer zones through our full-backs; psychological and protective; demonstrated ambitious and winning mindset; the mix of talent between highly experienced players and ambitious youngsters guarantees us control and irreverence in the game.
– Are there weaknesses?
– Some details on defensive transitions and defensive tactical schemes.
– And on the Swiss side, what are the strengths?
– Ability to build even under pressure; balance in the midfield sector; ability to explore depth with vertical movements of forwards; speed in offensive transitions; capacity for pressure in more advanced zones; combative team and strong in duels.
– And the weaknesses?
– Difficulty to rebalance the team defensively in transitions; less capacity to occupy resistant spaces in low blocks; less creativity and unpredictability when Shaquiri is not playing.
– Best player of the National Team in the group stage?
– I reinforce my perspective: our best player has been the team for its cohesive, solidary and ambitious mentality.
– What is the most successful game in Portugal?
– Against Uruguay. We dominate and control the game.
– Eleven for the game with South Korea?
– Always the eleven that the coach perceives to be the most prepared to be stronger and win.