Portugal will face Denmark away in the third matchday of the UEFA Nations League group stage. Ahead of the match, Rúben Dias held a press conference to answer questions about Cristiano Ronaldo, discuss the team's defensive approach, talk about working with Jesus again, and preparations for the Denmark match. This is the first part of the press conference.

Second part of the press conference

Rúben Dias: Who hasn't had disagreements with their coach or felt disappointed? We shouldn't take it too seriously.

Rúben, you are one of the team captains and clearly an influential voice in the dressing room. Tomorrow you play Denmark, but there are still many questions about Cristiano Ronaldo and the tensions surrounding Portugal's captaincy. I want to ask about what has happened over the last few days. As one of the captains, based on your experience, how do you view these recent events?

For me, and I think for the entire team, there are no unresolved issues. We are ready for tomorrow's match.

Hello, Rúben. As one of the captains, what do you think about the fact that the captain didn't thank the fans after such an important victory? He has held this position with Portugal for over ten years. Does this status, which he currently holds or has always held, become more of a problem for you, a solution, or does it bring benefits?

It was just a moment of frustration lasting ten, fifteen, or twenty seconds, which won't affect his commitment to Portugal over more than twenty years. Perhaps there were five or ten seconds of disappointment in that moment, but five minutes later we were all celebrating the important victory together in the dressing room. That victory was important to every one of us. And could you repeat the second question?

Does this status complicate matters and affect the entire Portuguese squad? After all, he is the captain.

No, no. I don't think there is such a risk at all.

Following up on my colleague's question, given what has happened over the last two days, can you guarantee that right now there are no tensions within the Portuguese squad? Your relationship with the captain, and his relationship with you, is the same as before?

I understand the question. But really, if you look at today's training, you'll feel our joy, you'll see our smiles, you'll see that we're happy. This is a new cycle, and everyone is excited to start this new path. We've already won two matches, and we're looking forward to the upcoming games.

You've been at pre-match press conferences twice before during controversies. The first time was in Palm Beach when Martínez was still the coach, regarding players going to the beach; this time it's about Cristiano Ronaldo. Do you feel you might soon become the first captain of the team?

Well, we'll see later. Time will tell. However, rather than focusing on that question, I want to say that since I joined the Portugal squad, the captaincy order has always been determined by the number of caps, and naturally the number of caps comes with accumulated experience. To this day, we still follow this method. So everything will develop as it should. I'm here today, as in the past, to defend the Portugal squad and our country.

Rúben, we've talked a lot about Cristiano Ronaldo. Portugal won an important victory in Norway. How is the team approaching tomorrow's match after that result? Playing at this stadium has always been difficult based on past experience.

It's true, playing here is difficult. They're a very efficient, versatile, and dangerous team. Recent matches and their past performances make that very clear to us.

So we know that only by showing our best game can we win here. That's what we're focused on now. We hope to put in a strong performance tomorrow and to enjoy the match. After all, this is our first opportunity to play so many matches for Portugal in one training camp. Playing in this shirt is a great honor for us. So we hope to play with smiles on our faces and win the match.

I'd like to ask about the team's defense. Jorge Jesus has repeatedly praised your defensive performance in the first two matches. How has your defensive approach changed compared to before? Also, you're working with Jorge Jesus again. Has he changed at all? What does this reunion feel like?

This reunion is pleasant. To answer your first question, there have been many changes. I think this will be our first important step toward our goals. As the coach often says, a team that defends well is closer to victory. I believe that, and I think we all believe it strongly. I feel that the coach's influence on the team, his philosophy, and our acceptance and implementation of those philosophies are gradually being reflected on the pitch and becoming increasingly evident.

As for me, this also relates to your second question. I've worked with the coach before. Most importantly, I want to say that when these arrangements make sense, everything becomes much easier.

By coincidence, Portugal's group contains three very physically strong, even very tough teams. From a player's perspective and based on the coach's requirements, will your playing style differ when facing such physically demanding teams compared to those with better technique and perhaps a more open style of play? Will this also affect how you manage your physical exertion?

Yes, of course, we need to adapt our playing style depending on the situation we face. But I don't think this means changing our fundamental style. Neither now nor in the future. It's more about understanding who we're facing, fully grasping what threats each team can pose to us, and accordingly knowing which moments require particular intensity and stability from us. But we still need to play our game, demonstrate our abilities and our own style.

Of course, this is a new cycle with a new philosophy. At this initial stage, we need to embrace these philosophies as soon as possible and implement them as effectively as we can.

However, we always need to make adjustments. Matches in this group really emphasize physical battles, and all opponents are strong. But in a way, that only makes us more eager for such challenges. Because this is a special and very important stage for our growth, especially in this new cycle.

Переведено ИИ.

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