After Portugal's 3-0 victory over Turkey in the second round of the Europa League group stage, advancing to the knockout stage early, Portuguese defender Pepe was interviewed by Portuguese radio and television. Pepe analyzed the game in depth and expressed his views on advancing to the knockout stage and his personal future.
Speaking about the match, Pepe noted, "We have shown a great performance against the Czech Republic and although we had conceded a goal, the team knew exactly how to react. Turkey are an emotional team, they play with passion and try to break the balance of the field. We, on the other hand, are a mature and tactically simple team, a style that is both effective and challenging. We were able to open up our formation effectively and create width for the attack. In the first half, we were able to find Leo on a number of occasions through one-on-one play, and we relied on this tactic to break the deadlock in the game. Although there were a lot of Turkish fans in the ground, I must mention the great support we received from our fans. Although they were few in number, their voices and enthusiasm made their presence felt by all and I am very grateful to them."
On advancing to the knockout stage, Pepe said: "This is definitely good news and it gives the whole team great confidence. Every player is indispensable here and the coach has been emphasizing this. Now, our focus is to prepare for the next game and continue our winning rhythm, which is our goal for the rest of the season."
When asked about his personal future plans, Pepe confessed, "I prefer to focus on the present and live each day well. I don't think too much about tomorrow because I think the most important thing is to make the most of today. The key thing for me is to be able to contribute to the team and leave this Euro with the joy of winning and advancing." Pepe's attitude highlights the dedication and responsibility of a professional player who puts the team's victory and honor first, contributing to Portugal's Euro journey with his performances and practical actions.
