At 03:00 CEST on September 9, Manchester City will travel to Porto for the opening match of the Champions League group stage. Before the match, Nunes, Manchester City's defender, attended a press conference. This article covers the second half of the press conference.

Related

【Misunderstanding? Nunes was asked about Enzo but answered about Maresca instead】

I have two questions. The first one is: when you were playing for Sporting CP, you played many times at Estádio do Dragão, but that was three or four years ago. What do you think is the main difference between Porto then and Porto now?

From the video analysis I watched this week, I think they now prefer to dominate possession and control the game. In the past, they would play with a focus on quick transitions and counterattacks, but now they like to control the game, press opponents in their own half, and dictate the tempo. I think that's the biggest change I've noticed. I remember when I played here, they were a team that emphasized quick football, fast counterattacks, and transitions. Of course, fighting spirit is part of the club's DNA and part of the city's identity, and I hope they continue to maintain that. As for whether they've improved or declined, that depends on each person's perspective.

Now, let me deviate slightly from the match topic, but it's related to your future with the national team. After this match, there will be an international break, and I believe you're hoping to be selected for Hörge's first Portugal national team squad. What are your expectations for this period?

I hope it will be a time of victory. We want to win. We want to reach the highest level. We want to be world champions. But ultimately, we want to win. We want to win. And I'm confident that the coach knows what we need to do to win. And when we start training, we'll begin building that to achieve our goals.

Good afternoon. My question follows up on what you just said about your thoughts on Porto. So far, do you think this will be Manchester City's most difficult and challenging match of the season?

I don't know if this will be the most complicated or most difficult moment, but I know it will be a very special match. The previous match against Arsenal was very difficult, and the match against Crystal Palace was also very difficult. Matches in the Premier League are always difficult, and the match against Porto won't be any different. We're going to face one of the best teams in Portugal, and in every Champions League match, we face top teams from each country. So I'm confident that tomorrow will be a tough battle.

I believe your teammates don't necessarily need this, but playing at Porto's home ground—and you also mentioned the city's DNA and the club's own DNA—have you warned your teammates over the past few days, alerting Manchester City to what kind of situation they might face tomorrow at Estádio do Dragão?

When we started watching the video analysis in the meeting, everyone immediately understood what we would be facing tomorrow—a well-prepared team and a very good team. We need to show our best level. Otherwise, we won't be able to get a positive result.

Good evening, Matheus. You were part of Portuguese football. You played for Porto, but now you'll face a rival that requires high intensity and presents a great challenge, especially in a duel against Pepé. What do you expect from this matchup, and how much has your experience in Portuguese football helped you prepare for this encounter?

It will be very difficult. Every year, every match where we face the best players in the Premier League. I think now every team has these outstanding players. I know Pepé. We know him. He's an excellent striker. I've known him since I played for Sporting CP. I know he's a very quick player, an outstanding player. His left and right feet are well-balanced. He can play on both sides, and he's also an eager and excellent defensive player. The duel tomorrow will be an excellent one, and that's the kind of match we want to play tomorrow.

Good afternoon. This season, under the new coach, Manchester City is using fullbacks moving into midfield, much like Pep Guardiola did before. Maresca is building a "square" in defense and midfield, and you started your career as a central midfielder. Do you think this tactical system will benefit you more? Because you're positioned at the transition between those two positions...

I think Pep Guardiola already did this. He did it with John Stones in the year they won the treble. Of course, I like it, because I'm a central midfielder. Defending and then starting attacks from midfield is something I'm familiar with and what I've done all my life. But I've also always played on the right and left. And even in the center. When I play, I try to perform at my best level. Of course, if the coach puts me in any position, I'll enjoy it and give my all.

แปลโดย AI

เว็บไซต์ AF เปิดตัวแล้ว! ดูข่าว ความคิดเห็น รายละเอียดแมตช์ และสถิติครบถ้วนบนคอมพิวเตอร์ของคุณ เยี่ยมชม: www.allfootballapp.com