The ‘captain’ of the Spanish national team, Sergio Busquets, said today that he expects a full stadium on Thursday to help the team beat Portugal, in a game in Group 2 of the League of Nations.
Asked about the atmosphere that awaits in the stadium in front of the Portuguese team, the FC Barcelona footballer said he expects “the best possible”, because the players always try to give the “best version” and with the support of the public “and with a lot of people” in the stadium everything is “better” for the Spanish team.
“We appeal to you to come and support us, because the goals are certainly easier [to achieve] and I hope we can toast them with a great game and a great victory” against Portugal, said the Spanish midfielder.
The words of Spain coach Luís Enrique, who classified Busquets as a “reference” and “leader” on and off the field were also addressed by the Spanish player, who thanked the coach for “the words and the trust”.
“I try to return [confidence] on and off the field, giving my best version”, he admitted, thanking the coach for the “trust” and recognizing that, at 33 years old, he tries to be “careful” and “good preparation” for to be able to respond to the effort asked of him as one of the most used players, both in the Spain national team and in his club.
Sergio Busquets also spoke about the reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo, with whom he measured forces when the Portuguese player was at Real Madrid, stating that all players want to face the best.
“It was a very beautiful time to live and play against players like that, in teams like Real Madrid. It’s what all players want. I am very happy to be able to live these games and to continue to play these games, being available for tomorrow [Thursday], which is against a great team, with great players”, he said.
Spain and Portugal will face each other on Thursday, from 20:45 local time (19:45 in Lisbon), at Benito Villamarín Stadium, in Seville, in a match that will be directed by the English referee Michael Oliver.
After making their debut against Spain in Group 2 of the League of Nations A, Portugal hosts Switzerland (Sunday) and the Czech Republic (the 9th), at Estádio José Alvalade, and travels to Geneva, on the 12th, to the second confrontation against the Helvetians.
The last two meetings will take place on the 24th and 27th of September, the first in the Czech Republic and the second in Braga, again against Spain.
The ‘quinas’ team, winner of the first edition of the League of Nations in 2019, needs to win the group to reach the ‘final four’ of the third edition, the second being won by France, in a final with Spain, in 2021.
The finals of the League of Nations takes place from 14 to 18 June 2023, with the winners of the four groups of League A, with the last ones of each of the groups going down to League B.