In a pre-match press conference ahead of the UEFA A-League group stage first leg against Croatia, Portugal's central midfielder Bernardo Silva expressed his anticipation for the upcoming match and shared his thoughts on the team, the opponents and the young players.
Talking about the Croatian team he will be facing, Bernardo Silva said: "Although there have been player changes in the Croatian team, such as the retirement of Brozovic, their overall strength is still not to be underestimated. The rules of the group stage have also changed now, with the top two teams advancing, which increases the competition and uncertainty of the game. We will have to give it our all and try to do well in the group stage as we have clear goals and ambitions for this tournament."
Looking back at this summer's Euros, where Portugal defeated France on penalties in the quarter-finals, Bernardo Silva confessed, "The Euros is the top tournament in soccer, and only one team can end up winning the title. Although we could not make it to the end, we showed our strength in the game and saw what we need to improve. We will continue to work hard and hope that the fans will see a constantly improving and upgrading Portuguese team."
On a personal note, Bernardo Silva is proud to be approaching the 100-game milestone of his national team career: "Playing for the national team is my greatest pride. I'm very honored and excited to be approaching this milestone. It will be an unforgettable moment in my life."
Speaking about the team's newcomers, Bernardo Silva singled out Geovanni Kunda, who is just 17 years old: "He has impressed me a lot. His performance proves that he has what it takes to play for the national team. In the future, there is every possibility that he will become an important member of the team and may even 'take' my place. This is motivating for me and bodes well for the development of the team."
In response to the intensity of the tournament and the players' complaints, Bernardo Silva expressed his understanding but also emphasized the responsibility of professional players: "As professional players, we understand that the intensity of the tournament is the norm. Although it does increase our burden, it is also a necessary way for us to chase our dreams and realize our self-worth. We will try our best to adjust our condition and cope with the challenges."
Finally, Bernardo Silva re-emphasized the importance he attaches to the Croatian team, "The Croatian team came back from the Europa League disappointed, but they will certainly give it their all and hope to respond to the fans' expectations with a great performance. It will be a tough game, but we are ready for it."
Portugal will host Croatia tomorrow at 2:45 a.m. BST. Fans can expect an exciting match.
