The selection of Portugal who leads Cristiano Ronaldo seeks to make the transition to Qatar World Cup 2022 in the final play-off match against Northern Macedonia this Tuesday and his coach, Ferdinand Santos, he assured that his team will give “everything to be present in the world championship”.
The Portuguese coach is confident of victory. In a press conference after the team’s training, he said: “The pressure we have, well, is to be in Qatar.” After losing 1-2 to Serbia and finishing second in their group, the Portuguese team faced Turkey last week and, after winning 3-1 at the Estádio do Dragão (Porto), passed in the final phase of the second leg, in which he will face Northern Macedonia at the same stage. The winner of the duel will qualify for the World Cup.
Executioner of Italy
Effectiveness in attack will be decisive in eliminating the Macedonian national team, one of the big surprises after defeating Germany in the group stage and Italy, the reigning European Championship champions, in the first leg last week.
Like Portugal – European champions until Italy won the title last year – the Macedonians advanced to the final round of the second leg thanks to an unexpected 0-1 victory over the Azzurri. which its presence in this party, emphasized Santos, is “by own merits”.
“Northern Macedonia is here on its own merits. In his last four away games, he has drawn one and won three. If we don’t look at this team for what it’s worth, of course we’ll take risks, “said Santos.
The last match of the “lynx” against Italy “does not portray what Northern Macedonia is” and the best scenario “is to think tomorrow that we will face Northern Macedonia as if it were Italy”, he stressed.
“We have to respond equally in what must be dedication, determination, aggression, sacrifice and will and with our intensity of play and creativity. If we do that, we are closer to winning, ”he added.
Joao Cancelo, recovered
Cristiano Ronaldo was asked if he was playing in his last active matches. “Many ask that question. Who will decide my future is me. If I feel like playing more, I play, and if I don’t feel like playing, I don’t play, “he replied angrily.
For the decisive victim, Santos recovers João Cancelo, who was punished for the match against Turkey, and Pepe, who tested positive for coronavirus last week.
The World Cup in Qatar, which could be the last event in this type of competition for Cristiano Ronaldo (37 years old), will be played from November 21 to December 18, 2022.
When asked by journalists if this would be their last championship in the event of a pass, the captain of the Portuguese national team was categorical: “I’m the one in charge”.
“Many ask that question. Who will decide my future is me. If I feel like playing more, I play, and if I don’t feel like playing, I don’t play, “he replied.
Cristiano emphasized the important role that the fans play: “If it’s like last Thursday, I’m sure we’ll win.”
For this Tuesday’s match, which will be played at the Estádio do Dragão and will be refereed by the Englishman Anthony Taylor, Santos could present a lineup formed by Diogo Costa; João Cancelo, José Fonte, Pepe, Raphaël Guerreiro; João Moutinho, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Otávio; Diogo Jota and Cristiano Ronaldo.
