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BSP-06
FOOTBALL-BERNARDO
Lopetegui’s Real Madrid job won’t affect Spain; Bernardo Silva
KRATOVO, Russia, June 13, 2018, (BSS/AFP) – Portugal winger Bernardo Silva
said Spain coach Julen Lopetegui’s appointment as the new Real Madrid boss
will have no impact on Friday’s World Cup group clash between the two
countries.
Real announced on Tuesday that Lopetegui would replace Zinedine Zidane after
the tournament in Russia, despite having only recently extended his Spain
contract until 2020.
“It has nothing to do with us. The players in the Spanish team are highly
experienced, top-class players,” Silva told reporters at Portugal’s training
base on Wednesday.
“Most of them have already played in a World Cup or European Championship so
these are players who are prepared for any given situation.
“They have already faced them before so I don’t think it will faze the
Spanish team.”
Silva won the Premier League title with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City this
season, his first year in England after joining from Monaco in a deal worth
around 50 million euros ($59 million).
The 23-year-old made his international debut in March 2015 but missed
Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph through injury. “We shouldn’t live in the past,”
he said.
“It’s going to be a big tournament for me and a big honour to represent my
team. I will do my best to give everything I have for the Portugal team.”
He added: “Everyone who’s into football dreams of representing their team at
the World Cup, the most important football tournament. It’s a dream for all
of us. I’m very proud that I’m here today.”
Portugal travel to 2014 Winter Olympics host city Sochi to kick off their
Group B campaign against 2010 champions Spain, with matches to follow against
Morocco and Iran.
The European champions crashed out in the group phase four years ago in
Brazil, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe among just seven survivors from the
2014 squad.
It will be a fourth and likely final World Cup for Ronaldo, who has scored
just three times at previous tournaments, and Silva is keen to glean as much
advice as possible from the Real Madrid star.
“Ronaldo is our captain, he sets an example for us and is advising us
younger players and sharing his experience,” Silva said.
“He is highly important for us and we’re listening a lot to the more
experienced players.
“Cristiano is now solely focused on the national team and the fact he is in
the Portuguese squad means he will give 100 percent to the cause.”
BSS/AFP/SG/MRI/1545 hrs