Midfielder Bruno Fernandez said this Friday that he has “put aside” his fatigue for the holidays and that he has “all the power” to face Bosnia and Herzegovina and then Iceland in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
The 28-year-old has made 59 appearances for Manchester United this season and has broken the 5,000-minute mark to reach the national team as the most used player during the season in the major European leagues.
“I show up with the same energy and desire. Obviously, the minutes add up, but I’m ready to give my best, because it’s a huge honor to be here. Fatigue will have to wait two more games. Holidays,” he said. Bruno Fernandes.
The former Sporting player spoke at the Cidade do Futebol in Oeiras at a press conference ahead of Saturday’s meeting with the Bosnians, the third round of Group J qualification for the 2024 European Championship.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to practice this profession, which eventually becomes not just a profession, because it has been our dream since childhood. Playing for Manchester United was also a childhood dream, and whenever the manager asked me if I wanted to take a break, I say that I am always ready to play. There will come a time when I will be less used, so I want to make the most of the opportunities that the coaches are giving me now,” he admitted.
On the Bosnia-Herzegovina clash, Bruno Fernandes, who has 55 caps and 13 goals to his credit, thought the Balkan opponent would “cause problems” but suggested that Portugal had the qualities to win the match.
“We know their quality. They have several famous players. But we are more focused on what we can do to win the game. We have quality for this. Bosnia will cause problems and we must be prepared. one more win and be professional,” he said.
Despite Manchester’s rivalry, Fernandes was “very pleased” with Ruben Diaz and Bernardo Silva’s Champions League victory in City’s service and spoke of “national pride”.
“It’s an honor for Portugal. They raised the name of Portugal. I’m very happy. They are my friends, but even if they weren’t, I would feel the same pride. They are Portuguese,” he stressed.
Portugal host Bosnia and Herzegovina at Lush Stadium in Lisbon on Saturday at 19:45 and head to Iceland to face the local team three days later at Laugardalsvellur Stadium in Reykjavik at 19:45 (Lisbon). time).
The meeting with Bosnia-Herzegovina will be judged by the Italian Davide Massa.
Early in qualifying, in two games that marked Martínez’s all-time debut at the helm, Portugal beat Liechtenstein 4-0 at the José Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon and traveled to Luxembourg to score 6-0.
Team quinas lead Group J with six points, followed by Slovakia with four points and Bosnia and Iceland with three points. Luxembourg, with one point, and Liechtenstein, without points, are second to last and last respectively.
Only the top two in the group advance to the final stage of Euro 2024, which will be held in Germany.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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