Fernando Santos’ statements to TVI, first after Portugal did not go directly to Mundial’2022
Outdated strategic plan and vision for football? “I do not agree. I respect all criticism, but I don’t have to agree at all. Is the message still getting through to the players? Yes, I have no doubts. I hear criticism from those who lead the three main Portuguese teams. I’ll give the example of Ruben Amorim versus Ajax who did a fantastic job, lost 5-1, you can’t play like that anymore, they don’t play like that in Europe anymore, but nobody remembered that Coates didn’t play. Then he came back and Ruben Amorim won both games to play the same, following the same concept. “
Bernardo Silva doubted the options? “We said the same thing. We disagreed, but we said the same. We were tuned in. We agreed. The game was bad, we had to do better. “
Ronaldo at the end of Portugal-Serbia : “When it was over, the disappointment was brutal. I have friends who cried. If the disappointment was cruel to the Portuguese, present it internally to the players and staff. The players were on the ground. I went to the pitch to support and comfort the players, yes, the role of the selector. He told a player from Serbia: “You didn’t laugh and you weren’t happy if the goal was not counted. [na Sérvia] has been confirmed. The only thing I told him was to relax. “
Could Ronaldo’s strength contribute to his defeat at Celesao? “Against.”
Trust Ronaldo and vice versa: “Total. Not this time, but that’s it. Everything.”
