Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (centre) and his teammates take part in a training session at the Al Shahaniya SC training site, yesterday. AFP
Portugal coach Fernando Santos has disclosed the 2016 Euro champions expect a well-organised Switzerland when both sides meet tonight at the Lusail Stadium in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Portugal, Group H winners and Group G runners-up Switzerland will meet for the 26th time and have twice this year in the UEFA Nations League.
Portugal blanked them 4-0 in Lisbon on June 5 before the Swiss prevailed 1-0 in Geneva a week later.
“Tomorrow (today) will be a very difficult match, this is the Round of 16, but Portugal believes we can win. It won’t be the first time against the Swiss; we know it will be a difficult match,” Santos told reporters yesterday.
“They are a well-organised team with high-quality players and know their way of playing very well. We don’t expect a calm game but a fast one with fast passes. They are very well synced and are always focused, and that is what we expect in this match -- we will face a disciplined Swiss side,” Santos added.
Portugal has lost their last four World Cup knockout-stage matches. The last time A Selecao won a World Cup knockout tie was their penalty shoot-out victory against England in 2006. For Santos, ninth-ranked Portugal and their 15th-ranked opponents are favourites.
“They (Switzerland) have the capacity to win the match, and we understand that we can win. This is a football match, and we will be fully focused.
“When you have reached this round, you are closer to being a favourite. What matters is the next match. Portugal always has an obligation to win, and I think it’s very good to feel the pressure -- we want to win, and we can do that,” he added.
Santos also played down rifts with Cristiano Ronaldo after images by Portuguese media suggested the captain used vulgar language directed at Santos after he was substituted against South Korea.
“I didn’t like it at all, I didn’t like the images,” Santos said.
“However, these matters are resolved in-house. Everything is finished, and now we have to think about the match.”
Defender Ruben Dias insisted Portugal doesn’t have to change its approach, but the players must be focused on the challenges ahead. Dias also disclosed that the team is prepared for penalties if it comes to that, adding, “this is something we have been practising.”
“This is a different stage of the completion, and we have just come from a group phase where we finished first,” Dias said.
“I don’t think there’s more to change, but it’s more important to focus and be better prepared In these matches. We are ready, and we will play to win.”
Switzerland’s players take part in a training session at the University of Doha. AFP
Swiss not worried about history
Switzerland have not scored in a FIFA World Cup knockout match since losing 7-5 to Austria in the 1954 quarter-final.
Following a goalless draw with Ukraine in 2006, they missed all three of their penalties in the shoot-out, losing 3-0.
Murat Yakin insisted his side isn’t bothered about making history but is aware of the nature of the game.
“Being able to write history will not be decisive for us. We know our opponents and have shown that we can beat them (Portugal). Then maybe we can discuss the history.
“You can’t focus on what happened in sport. No one cares what happened anymore. Of course, expectations are growing, but we fight with the players I have and the opportunities we have,” Yakin said.
The 48-year-old disclosed that the players continue to practice penalties but hope to get the game done in regulated time.
“We’ve seen this in the past few games, which were decided by penalty kicks. Players, after every practice, do practise penalty kicks.
“I’d like to really make a difference before it comes to penalty kicks. There are many important things before it gets to penalty kicks, and we want to make sure we can decide this game in regular time.
“But if it gets to penalty kicks, my team is familiar with that situation,” Yakin added.
