Portugal’s World Cup campaign began disappointingly and they are now under pressure entering their second group game.
Six minutes into Portugal’s group opener with DR Congo, everything was going to plan as Joao Neves made it 1-0.
At that point nobody would have predicted that the game would finish 1-1. While Portugal had 75 per cent possession, DR Congo actually had more xG with 0.87 to Portugal’s 0.65.
This underlined how little Portugal created, and former Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has been bearing the brunt of criticism.
Ronaldo, 41, has been criticised for his very presence in the starting line-up, with his drab attacking display making Portugal far too predictable.
With the long wait between group games, next facing Uzbekistan on Tuesday 23, Ronaldo and Portugal have been it with a major fan and media backlash.
Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has now voiced his thoughts on the situation.
Diogo Dalot on Portugal
To his credit, Diogo Dalot is one player who is never afraid to face the media when it is tough going at Manchester United, and the same is true for Portugal too.
Speaking at a press conference, Dalot was quoted via CM Jornal: “When you have Ronaldo in the squad, you have to be prepared for an extraordinary outcry.”
Dalot also took aim at the side’s detractors, saying: “There are many people who don’t want Portugal to win.
“If I had to name names, we’d never leave here. Obviously, there are millions of people who want Portugal to win and others who don’t.”
Dalot says Portugal must conquer anxiety
Diogo Dalot was an unused substitute in Portugal’s first match and he is ready if called upon to face Uzbekistan.
Portugal are again heavy favourites, and he knows that their own anxiety to win the game could be their worst enemy.
He explained: “We have 90 minutes to win a game. This anxiety to win the game and control it ended up betraying us a bit in terms of the game itself. We want to come out victorious.
“It’s important to continue feeling the support, but it’s impossible to win a World Cup without difficulties. I have never hidden, nor do I want to hide, the responsibility, but one thing is expectation, and another is what we actually do.”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/H528Bno