The selection of Portugal who leads Cristiano Ronaldo looking to get a pass Qatar World Cup 2022 in the final play-off match against North Macedonia this Tuesday and his coach, Fernando Santosassured that his team will give “everything to be present in the world championship”.
The Portuguese coach is confident of victory. At a press conference after the team’s training, he said: “The pressure we have, good, is to be in Qatar.” After losing to Serbia 1-2 and finishing second in their group, the Portuguese team faced Turkey last week and, by winning 3-1 at the Estadio do Dragão (Oporto), went to last play-off phase, in which they will face North Macedonia in the same stadium. The winner of the duel will qualify for the World Cup.
Executioner of Italy
The effectiveness in attack will be decisive to eliminate the Macedonian team, one of the big surprises after defeating Germany in the group stage and Italy, defending European champions, in the first play-off game last week.
Like Portugal -European champions until Italy took the title last year-, the Macedonians went through to the last phase of the play-offs thanks to the unexpected victory against the “azzurra” by 0-1, so His presence in this game, Santos pointed out, is “on his own merits.”
“North Macedonia are here on their own merits. In their last four away games, they drew one and won three. If we don’t look at this team for what it’s worth, of course we’re going to take risks,” Santos said.
The last game of the “lynxes” against Italy “does not portray what North Macedonia is” and the best scenario “is to think tomorrow that we are going to face North Macedonia as if it were Italy,” he stressed.
“We have to respond equally in what has to be dedication, determination, aggressiveness, 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 played his last active matches. “Many ask this question. I am the one who is going to decide my future. If I feel like playing more games and if I don’t feel like playing, I don’t play,” he replied angrily.
For the decisive match, Santos brings back João Cancelo, who was suspended for the match against Turkey, and Pepe, who tested positive for coronavirus last week.
The World Cup in Qatar, which could be the last appointment in this type of competition for Cristiano Ronaldo (37 years old), will be played from November 21 to December 18, 2022.
Faced with questions from journalists about whether this will be his last championship if he passes, the captain of the Portuguese team was blunt: “I am the one in charge.”
“Many ask this question. I am the one who is going to decide my future. If I feel like playing more, I play, and if I don’t feel like playing, I don’t play,” he replied.
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Cristiano highlighted the important role played by the fans: “If it’s like last Thursday, I’m sure we’re going to 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.