Goalkeeper Diogo Costa admitted this Wednesday that he intends to complete Portugal’s Euro 2024 qualifying without conceding a goal, which would be a “very big consolation” and a “warning” for the opponents.
“I would like this to be possible. This is the goal, not the main goal, because it is a qualification. But it would be a great consolation not to suffer until the end of qualifying, and I think it would even be a warning to other teams. As a team, let’s try to make this happen. That would be very good,” Diogo Costa said.
The 24-year-old goalkeeper, who kept a clean sheet in the last four rounds of Group J, “imitating” what Rui Patricio did in the first two, spoke to reporters at a press conference at the Cidade do Futebol. in Oeiras, a few minutes before the next training session of the Portuguese national team, which is preparing for Friday’s match with Slovakia.
“We thought the group would be more difficult, but we made it easier. We know we will face a motivated Slovakia as they are also trying to qualify. The game in Bratislava was difficult. [1-0] and to be honest, now we expect the same,” said the Porto player.
At the beginning of qualifying, coach Roberto Martinez publicly confirmed that Diogo Costa would take over the Portuguese goal, ahead of Rui Patricio, the most capped goalkeeper in the history of the national team (107 matches).
“I’m proud to be number 1.” This is a great responsibility. I have great respect for my colleagues, Rui and Jose Sa, and when I go on the field, I also represent them and play for them,” he said.
Portugal will face Slovakia on Friday at the Dragao Stadium in Porto at 19:45 and, if they win, will automatically guarantee passage to the final phase of the next European Championship.
“It would be a source of pride and joy for me to qualify for this game and at the Dragau Stadium. This has been my home since I was a child,” recalls the goalkeeper, who was born in Rotrist, Switzerland.
After six rounds, Portugal retain their overall victory and top Group J with 18 points, five more than second-place Slovakia. Luxembourg is third with 10 points, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland (both with six) and Liechtenstein, still without points.
In addition to six victories in the same number of matches, Roberto Martinez’s team has a record of 24 goals scored and not a single one conceded.
In November, Portugal will close out the qualifying round with a trip to Liechtenstein and an invitation to Iceland.
The first two places in the group provide direct access to the final phase of Euro 2024, which will be held in Germany.