At a press conference ahead of Portugal's home match against Norway in the UEFA Nations League, Bruno Fernandes discussed the team's adaptation to Jesus's tactical philosophy, his own position on the pitch, and the controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo. He stated that there is no division within the Portugal squad and called on supporters not to take sides. This article is the first part of the press conference.

Bruno, let's look at the upcoming match against Norway. You were unable to help the team in the first meeting. Based on what you saw then, what do you think needs to change in tomorrow's game? In the last match, everyone said Portugal needed to withstand pressure. What do you need to do to feel less pressure?

At that time, we really did need to withstand pressure, and that was also related to Norway's strength. As the coach has mentioned several times here, they are a very strong team with world-class players who can create difficulties for us.

I think we should also acknowledge and appreciate the team's defensive efforts, because we defended well that day. Perhaps we gave the opposition more chances than expected, but at the same time our defence was very effective. In every game there are areas for improvement, and that match was no exception. Although the result was good and everyone felt our performance was better overall. I think the most important thing is always to get results, and now it's becoming harder to win away from home. Those were three very important points for us on this journey. I hope tomorrow we can pick up another three points and move closer to our goal.

SIC Reporter: The last time you played for Portugal at this stadium, you scored a hat-trick, and João Neves also scored a hat-trick. Later you shared a story about how João Neves asked you to let him take a penalty. All of this suggests you are one of the leaders in the dressing room. I want to ask how you spoke with your teammates this week about what is happening? For example, how have you and João Neves communicated? Also, could you tell us about the new system the coach is implementing for Portugal? Do you think players like João Neves might get fewer opportunities in this system?

I'll answer the last part first. The coach decides who gets opportunities and who doesn't. Fortunately, that's not for me to decide, because Portugal has many excellent players. I think we will only benefit from this, because it shows that our squad is of very high quality.

We have players who can play in different positions, and they can also be on the pitch at the same time, as we saw in the last game. For example, João Neves, Vitinha, Neves, myself, and Félix were all on the pitch together, and we can all play in very similar positions. I think that's very positive for us.

Simply being part of the Portugal squad is already wonderful. I think that regardless of whether you play a lot or little, it shouldn't be viewed negatively. We all want to play. We are usually starters at our clubs, and when we come to the Portugal squad, everyone wants to represent their country, everyone wants to start, everyone wants to play. That's why we're here, and also to give the coach a headache and make his choices even harder.

Regarding the other question, I want to try to clarify this matter so we perhaps don't have to return to it again. I'll get straight to the point.

I don't think I need to discuss this with my teammates. We all know how to manage our situations. What is happening now with the Portugal squad has nothing to do with the players. I think our most important role is to perform on the pitch.

Regarding Cristiano Ronaldo, I have spoken with him. What I told him, I will repeat here now: whatever happens, Cristiano Ronaldo will always be the most important symbol of the Portugal squad, the most important symbol of Portuguese football and, without a doubt, the most important symbol of our country. This is because he has achieved this not only in Portugal, but throughout the world. I think he undoubtedly holds his special place not only among the greatest players in history, but also in the hearts of all Portuguese people.

The most important thing now is to stop dividing into factions, because there is no division in the Portugal squad. There is and will always be only one Portugal squad. Regardless of the noise or commotion coming from outside, I think every family should resolve its problems behind closed doors. The Portugal squad should act in the same way, and I believe it will.

I am convinced that ultimately this issue will be resolved appropriately, with a good outcome for both sides. We are completely uninvolved in this. What we know is what you report, and what we see ourselves. To be honest, we spend a lot of time playing cards in the dressing room rather than watching television, so we actually know very little about the various disputes surrounding this issue.

But I want to appeal once more: do not divide this country, do not let everyone take sides, everyone should unite, respect and accept all perspectives. At the same time, as I have already said, Cristiano Ronaldo will always be the most important symbol of the Portugal squad, Portuguese football, and world football. Regardless of whether some people like him more or less, he deserves the respect of all Portuguese people.

Sport TV Reporter: After the last match, Jorge Jesus mentioned that he had a conversation with you—I remember it was during the break. He's sitting next to you, and he can correct me if I'm wrong. That conversation was about the influence you need to have in Portugal matches, because the position you play is one that Jorge Jesus has repeatedly said is very important in his teams. What exactly did he ask of you? What else do you need to do to achieve the kind of football that Jorge Jesus wants to see?

Jesus: He did it in the second half of that game.

Bruno Fernandes: After I got a telling-off, I did it. I really did. I know the coach very well, and I have worked with him before. He brought me to the big stage of Portuguese football, so I know what demands to expect when working with him, and I know that sometimes you need to get a dressing-down. Some of these conversations are justified, others less so.

However, I think he makes these demands of me and other players because he believes in our abilities, in what we can do as players, and what we can bring to the Portugal squad. I also think my first-half performance wasn't as good as my second half. There are still areas for improvement, even if the second half was better, there are still areas to work on.

What the coach said to me at half-time helped me improve in the second half. That's always positive, not only for me, but for my teammates and for the final result of the match. The result of that match was very good for us.

Переведено ИИ.

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