Portugal's problem is uncooperative ball
Reuters - Monday 11 June 2012, 13:32
Portugal have finally
got to the root of their goal-scoring problems, saying it is
simply the case that "the ball does not want to go in."
"It's the reality. We have created a lot of chances but the
ball doesn't want to go in," midfielder Miguel Veloso told
reporters.
"The most important thing is to look for a bit of luck
because perhaps the ball will go in and we can carry on from
there."
His team-mate Nani agreed that the ball was not being
co-operative.
"The ball will not go in," he said. "In the next few games,
maybe our chances will go in as they have done at other times."
Portugal have scored just one goal in four games this year
and kicked off their Euro 2012 campaign with a 1-0 loss to
Germany on Saturday when they only came to life after falling
behind midway through the second half.
Most of Monday's news conference at the team's Polish hotel
consisted of pre-prepared answers which tended to state the
obvious.
"We want to score goals because that's the only way you can
win a game," said Nani.
He also reminded his audience that "the coach picks the team
and I play where he tells me" and that "everyone reacts
differently to a defeat."
Veloso described Euro 2012 as "an important competition" and
observed that when Portugal face Denmark on Wednesday "we will
be playing against opponents who also want to win the game."
"All the players want to play, we're no exceptions," he
revealed, offering yet more insight. "The important thing is not
who plays but how the team plays. Whoever plays will do their
best.
"We devise a strategy for each match and then we do our
best go reach out target, which is the three points."