Joao Palhinha admits Slovenia are tough opponents for Portugal in Euro 2024 quarter-finals. Portugal midfielder Joao Palhinha has hailed Slovenia as the biggest surprise at Euro 2024 football. With the Portuguese set to face their opponents in the last 16 on Monday.
‘They are a very competitive team, one of the biggest surprises of this Euro. We had the chance to play a friendly against them, so they are a team we know well.’UFABET
Palhinha also spoke about Slovenia striker Andrach Sporar, a former team-mate at Sporting Lisbon. ‘I remember sharing the dressing room with Sporar. He was a great player and I had a good relationship. He was very agile, a player who fought hard and tried very hard. ‘
‘And that’s the same with the image of Slovenia, they have a great team. One of the good surprises of this Euro. It will be a very difficult game. As we get closer to the end of the competition, the competition increases.’
‘We expect it to be a very competitive match, similar to the games we had in the group stage. As we progress in this competition, the matches will get harder and harder. We will face this game as if it is our (last) match.’
Palhinha also spoke about Portugal’s unpredictability, saying: ‘That’s the biggest quality we have. Sometimes it’s good to create uncertainty in the head of the coach. Because it shows the individual and collective qualities of the team.’
‘As players, sometimes we don’t know if we are or not, if we are going to play or what system we are going to play. That’s good, but above all, we are ready for what’s coming next.’