Africa-Press – Gambia. Portugal plays today, at 17h00, against Uruguay. It’s the second game at Mundial’2022. The national coach, Fernando Santos, previewed today’s game against Uruguay, counting for the second round of group H of the World Cup.
Portugal and Uruguay meet again four years after the round of 16 match at the 2018 World Cup. Despite much having changed, Fernando Santos believes that the South American game matrix is still the same.
“We have to think that Cavani and Suárez were five years younger… They are still players of enormous quality, I think they are two great teams, with emerging values. Most were at the World Cup in Russia, not Valverde, Darwin, De La Cruz. What is the matrix hasn’t changed that much. It has changed the characteristics of one player or another.
A team that normally evolves in a 4x4x2, Darwin closed on the left when defending, but attacking he went to the middle. It doesn’t seem very different to me. A strong, balanced team that knows how to take advantage of the moments of the game. They have a fast attack, they continue to be strong in crossing. It is also a team that allows the opponent to play in their zone, but it can be called.
It seems like a strategy for the opponent to move forward and then press on the counterattack. I don’t see that much difference. It will be a great game, like 2018. Uruguay won, but could have lost. It went to Uruguay, I believe it can go well to Portugal”, said the Portuguese coach.
Fernando Santos also took the opportunity to confirm the absence of Danilo Pereira from the match; the national coach described the incident that led to the injury and confirmed Pepe’s ownership in the defense axis.
“Pepe will play tomorrow. Injury? It’s one of those moves that nobody could understand. We were preparing defensive dead balls. He went to the hospital. We have to wait for the evolution. I’m not a doctor, I can’t explain. I know the type of injury because they explained it to me. If we can count on him, so much the better. But we have three centre-backs and other players who can also do it. We can’t do drama, cry.”, said Fernando Santos.
Portugal-Uruguay is scheduled for, at 5 pm, at Estádio de Lusail. In case of victory, the Portuguese team guarantees qualification for the round of 16 of the World Cup.
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