Today it was Sporting Lisboa's Joao Moutinho chance to be at the press conference. It was him and my favorite Helder Postiga. Moutinho is part of the midfield duo with Miguel Veloso. So he faces competition from Barcelona's Deco.
One doesn't know yet if Moutinho can start. If so, instead of Deco, with Deco, or paired with who? Needless to say that was in the resporter questions.
Image Source: euro2008.sapo.pt/multimedia/fotos/conferencias_imprensa
After seeing the training in Viseu, Moutinho will be part of the starting 11 ("onze inicial").
"In the 2nd part of yesterday's training, the starting 11 changed. We all started from the same level. I am here to help. If the manager thinks that I need to be one of the 1st options, I am going to give it my best."
He then added "everyone has the objective of being in the starting lineup ("titular")" but it's the manager who "decides."
About feeling integrated in the group and adapted to the tactical scheme of Scolari:
"I played in the youth section of Sporting and in the young national teams with that tactical scheme. I don't have any problem with that. Everything's going fine."
About playing with Deco: "Playing next to Deco makes it easier for me and everyone. He's a great player."
Transfer talk- will he leave Sporting Lisboa anytime soon: "My big objective is to help the national team ("Selecção"), this group is formidable. What will happen next, we'll see then. I hope we can do a good European championship. We're going to do our best to at the end be satisfied with the results.
Source: www.record.pt/noticia.asp?id=788492&idCanal=1252
What do you think of his statements?
Do you think Moutinho will start?