Portugal’s coach, Fernando Santos , addressed the media in the Wanda Metropolitano press room after the draw (0-0) against Spain . The coach assures that they have had a bad time “the first 20 minutes”, but that it has been a positive game for both Luis Enrique and him. “
How they face the Euro
«With the same attitude as in the other championships. Our goal is victory. There are many teams, eight or nine candidates, who can reach victory. It was a positive game for Luis Enrique and for me. It is important to talk about all of this over the next week. What we have done well and what we can improve before the debut against Hungary.
Party lesson
“I believed that if we took advantage of individual technical quality collectively, we could do great things. Spain has been a team with more possession and has shot more on goal. It is a school that comes from behind, they play the ball backwards, they put pressure and Spanish teams, like Barcelona, always have a lot of ball possession. The first 20 minutes we have had a bad time, but then we have improved and found solutions. We have made the Spanish run more. In the end Spain found rhythm again and has created problems for us between the lines. The game has served what we wanted. It helps us to see what we have to improve ».
Same level as Spain
“Yes, I think we are closer and that we have similar goals. Spain has been candidates for many years, it is the only team that has won three consecutive tournaments. Although Portugal lost on penalties, but that’s football. Portugal now presents the consistency of winning titles. Congratulations to the under 21s, I hope they win the final ».
The team has suffered
«If the team does not have possession, it is evident that we are going to have problems. In the second half the best opportunity is from Jota and then we have another from Cristiano, but Spain also had good chances that they could have taken advantage of. There are aspects to improve defensively and offensively. Spain focuses on the players in the middle and that way we have had difficulties. There have been many moments when we have forced Spain to run. Now it’s time to tune things up ».
Similar to Germany or France
“Germany plays a totally different game. Few teams can do what Spain does because they have been implementing it for many years. I wanted to see what we have worked on since we were together and in some moments those things have appeared ».
World 2030
“The people of both countries have to be excited about this idea because it represents the best of football. Spain and Portugal have everything so that the 2030 World Cup can be held in these two countries.
