Portugal suffered a surprise loss to Georgia in the group stage of the Europa League, but defender Dalot emphasized in a post-match interview that the loss will not destroy the confidence of the Portuguese team, who remain a strong team.
Dalot began by noting that frustration is unavoidable in soccer. He admitted that the Portuguese team knew before the match that it would be a tough one, as the Georgian team would play a deep defensive strategy and was comfortable with that.
Talking about the problems in the game, Dalot said that the Portuguese team looked a bit hasty in attacking the third zone and was too eager to find the last pass. He explained that the team developed some anxiety after conceding the ball, and the players always wanted to recover the score immediately instead of staying calm and collected, a mentality that disrupted their rhythm of the game to a certain extent.
On the line-up changes, Dalot emphasized that every player who came on the pitch earned their chance through their hard work and performance. He urged people not to take the starting lineup for granted, as those players who played deserved that position and had put in a great deal of hard work during the week. Dalot also pointed out that Portugal is a team of 26, not just 11 men playing, and that everyone must be prepared and ready to take the field.
Finally, when it comes to how to face the coming matches, Dalot said that keeping a clear head is the only option. He believes that despite the setbacks, Portugal is still a strong team and they are capable of doing well in the coming matches.
Dalot's interview shows the resilience and fighting spirit of the Portuguese players. Instead of being crushed by the loss, they chose to face the setback with a positive mindset and are well prepared for the coming matches.
