THE BALL – «Fernando Santos won on all fronts» (Portugal)
Luís Gonçalves considers that Morocco is very strong at a collective level and that, against Morocco, the National Team has to play in a patient and compact way. Regarding the match against Switzerland, the Interclube coach has no doubts: «Fernando Santos won on all fronts!»
– How to evaluate the selection of Morocco?
– The Selection of Morocco has all the merit in the quarter-finals. Team that plays in a 4x3x3, with fast and technical players, where Achraf Hakimi, from PSG, stands out. It also has goalkeeper Bono and Hakim Zyech among others. Despite having a lot of individual quality, he stands out for his collective, with a lot of help and dedication to the game, brand image of coach Walid Regragui, African club champion for the WAC. Very strong team in the offensive transition, the defender knows how to be patient and compact, as seen with Spain. Portugal has to be equal to itself, controlling, compact and balanced in order not to be understood by us.
– How far can the Portuguese national team go?
– Portugal can reach the end of this World Cup and give the joy that all Portuguese people yearn for, as it has quality in quantity with a lot of variability. Naturally, it will be very difficult, because, in addition to having passed the feeling of Morocco, you can find a super France (if you eliminate England) and who knows Brazil, in the final. That’s a lot of ifs, because Argentina is also doing well and doing a good race. Personally, I would like to see a Portugal-Brazil match in the final…
– How to rate the victory over Switzerland?
– This victory over Switzerland is of enormous importance for our national team. Firstly because it gave us access to the rooms, but mainly because of the way the team asserted itself, without Cristiano and the numbers they were. Fernando Santos won on all fronts with the decisions made. Thus, Portugal is even stronger and the coach with more headaches, the good ones…
– Will Cristiano Ronaldo return to the starting line-up?
– Yea. I think that will be Fernando Santos’ option, as he will be fresher and more motivated than ever and will combine very well with João Félix and Bruno Fernandes.