Portugal will host Scotland in the 2nd round of the UEFA Europa League group stage on September 9, Beijing time. Before the match, Portugal's defense center Ruben Dias attended the press conference and expressed his views on the upcoming match and the team's recent situation.
Diaz began by talking about the differences between Scotland and their previous round opponents, Croatia. He argued that while each game has its own uniqueness, both Scotland and Croatia showed a decent level of play. Croatia is known for its excellent ball control, while Scotland prefers a more direct attacking style of play. Against such opponents, Portugal must be well prepared for the different tactical challenges.
When asked about the imminent return of Bruno Lage, who coached him, to coach Benfica, Diaz showed his respect and blessings for his former coach. He said he wouldn't comment too much on the decision but would always send good luck to Lage and recalled the pleasant times he had while working with him.
On how to make this journey to the UEFA Nations League easier, Dias believes the priority is to get six points. He emphasized that getting a full win at home is crucial for the team as it will lay a solid foundation for the subsequent matches. At the same time, he also said that the team needs to keep improving in order to cope with stiffer competition.
When it comes to competition and cooperation within the team, Diaz said he won't comment on the ups and downs of his teammates. He believes that everyone is constantly being evaluated and what the team needs is a united whole. As for his new teammates, he hopes that they will be able to adapt to the environment and show their strengths as soon as possible.
On the difference between partnering Gonzalo Inácio and Antonio Silva in central defense, Díaz said they are both very good players and there is no need to analyze the differences between them too much. He believes that as a national team, competition and cooperation within the squad will work together to drive the team forward.
Looking ahead to the match against Scotland, Diaz said that the team has studied Scotland thoroughly and formulated tactical strategies accordingly. He believes that the team will be able to capitalize on the mistakes that Scotland may make in the game and thus achieve victory. At the same time, he also emphasized the seriousness and aggressiveness in the game, believing that only by going all out can we win the game.
Finally, Diaz also addressed the issue of comparing the club level to the national team level. He believes that this is unfair, as there is a big difference between the national team and the club in terms of the composition of the players, the tactical system and the rhythm of the game. He said that he will do his best to play for Portugal, but he will also cherish the opportunity to play for clubs such as Manchester City and continue to improve his strength.
