Portuguese Football in English
Portugal’s Euro 2020 training camp continues apace at Cidade do Futebol, ten days before the tournament starts. There remain five absentees, given that Gonçalo Guedes, Bruno Fernandes, Rúben Dias, João Cancelo and Bernanrdo Silva are yet to link up with the squad.
This morning João Palhinha was the chosen player for the daily press conference, with the Sporting midfielder revealing he and fellow defensive midfielder Danilo have been training in a variety of positions, including centre-back.
Portugal 5-3 ItalyPortugal beat Italy 5-3 in the European U21 Championship quarter-finals at Stadion Stožice in Ljubljana. Rui Jorge’s side led 2-0 through Dany Mota and were 3-1 up when Gonçalo Ramos scored in the 58th minute, but Italy fought back and equalised in the 89th minute to take it to extra time.
Jota and Francisco Conceição scored in the second period of extra time after the Azzurrini had been reduced to 10 men, Portugal prolonging their campaign in Slovenia where they will take on Spain in the semi-finals.
The youngest member of Portugal’s Euro 2020 squad, Nuno Mendes, was just thirteen years old when Portugal became European Champions on that famous Paris night in 2016. Now 18, Mendes is just starting out his career, but is already making headlines having helped Sporting win the league, having enjoyed a fabulous season and as the subject of intense transfer speculation.
Although not entirely comfortable in the media glare, Mendes was the chosen player at today’s press conference as Portugal continue their preparations for the tournament. PortuGOAL brings you the quotes.
Portugal have returned to Slovenia where they are aiming to win the UEFA European U21 Championship for the first time. Rui Jorge’s side won all three group stage games and enter the knockout rounds on a 10 match winning streak.
The Esperanças take on Italy in the quarter-finals on Monday 31 May. The match will be played at Stadion Stožice in Ljubljana, the scene of Portugal’s final two victories in the group stage.
PortuGOAL’s Matthew Marshall takes a look at Portugal’s squad and their chances of winning the elusive title.
On Thursday the Portugal squad that will defend its European Championship crown congregated at FPF headquarters, Cidade do Futebol, in Oeiras on the outskirts of Lisbon.
To be more precise, 21 of the 26-man squad reported for duty. Manchester City trio Rúben Dias, Bernardo Silva and João Cancelo will arrive later next week as they play the Champions League final tonight in Porto, and Bruno Fernandes was also given extra time off after only finishing his club season in Wednesday’s Europa League final. Gonçalo Guedes, meanwhile, is in isolation having tested positive for Covid-19 in Valencia, and will only join the squad when given the all-clear.
Every day one player is presented to the media to answer questions. Gauging from the press conferences so far and the training sessions open to journalists, the mood is positive going in the tournament. PortuGOAL summarises the quotes given by André Silva, João Félix and Renato Sanches.
