Portugal is about to face Croatia in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16, and Vitinha was interviewed by LIVEMODE TV before the match.
Facing Croatia, a team we are very familiar with and you know well, they have Modric and are very good at controlling the game. How should we deal with the pressure they exert in midfield? This pressure can sometimes be tricky and might make us impatient. Should we counter with high pressing or by controlling possession? What are your thoughts?
Yes, that's a good question. I think both teams rely heavily on possession, or rather, we are both teams that build confidence by controlling the ball. So the key is how to handle the different phases of the game. When Croatia has possession, we need to maintain a good defensive structure; when we have possession, we need to showcase our technical strengths. Therefore, this will be a game where ball possession is extremely important. Some teams can play effectively without possession, creating chances without relying on it. But this match is between two teams that both need possession, so it will be very exciting.
Speaking of Croatia, we have to mention Modric. He is a benchmark for all of us. I imagine that as a midfielder, he is the same for you. Modric once praised you, saying you are one of the best midfielders in the world, perhaps even the best. How do you feel hearing such an evaluation from such a benchmark player?
It feels great. When he said those words, I also had the opportunity to respond. He is a role model for all of us, especially for midfielders. I've also swapped jerseys with him before, so I only have respect and admiration for him. He is a great player. Of course, I hope he leaves tomorrow as a loser. But without a doubt, he is one of my role models.
Speaking of Croatia, another impressive scene comes to mind: your assist to Félix, which helped him score. That was an unforgettable pass. Do you think this match will also have an impact in similar ways? For example, in terms of exploiting space between the opponent's defensive lines, will the difference be reflected there?
Yes, it might be reflected in the use of vertical space. We will analyze Croatia more deeply today and tomorrow to determine what we need to do against them. However, I think we should focus more on ourselves. There's no doubt that we still have areas to improve. If we can do these things well, we will be closer to victory. Of course, we will also make targeted adjustments in some details depending on the opponent. But overall, the most important improvements still come from within ourselves.
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