Moutinho: “Portugal can deal with the added pressure”

Meireles highlights collective attitude of squad

After the barnstorming performance in their first match, more and more pundits are suggesting Portugal have a good chance of lifting their first ever major trophy at Euro 2008.

Midfielder Joao Moutinho, one of Portugal’s best performers in the 2-0 win against Turkey, insists that the squad can deal with the added pressure of becoming one of the tournament favourites.

“We can deal well with the pressure. We’re going to continue working as we have done up until now. We’ve already been under pressure, perhaps excessively so, but through our work we are showing what we can do, step by step to get through this stage. If we manage to do this and win our next game qualification is practically guaranteed.

“The Czech Republic are tactically and technically very good players. We’re still going to analyse their team in greater depth. However, the most important thing is to concentrate on our team, our work and keep firmly focused, like we did in the first game.

“We’re a young team, it’s true. Portugal had great players at World Cup 2006, but now it’s a new generation that is showing it’s strong and that wants to continue in this championship with the same attitude and determination as in the first game.”

Meireles: Czechs are strong

Fellow midfielder Raul Meireles echoed Moutinho’s thoughts, saying that Portugal will be looking for a repeat performance against the Czechs.

“We had the chance to see a little of the Czech Republic’s game, and it was enough to see they are tactically a strong team. The goal arrived at the right moment for them because Switzerland were starting to take control of the match, and we have to be careful in this respect.

“However, what’s more important is the worry about our own display, our team and manage to play like we did against Turkey.”

On an individual level, Meireles added that scoring his first goal for the senior side was a moment he will never forget, but rejected the idea that he could now expect to be picked in the staring XI.

“All 23 players here are able to be in the starting eleven, and always work with the single aim of Portugal winning their games. It’s not important whether I’m a starter or whether Joao is. What’s important is that we are here thinking solely about the collective and not the individual.”