"It will not be easy, but we will be ready,"
-José Fonte
Following a debut to remember at EURO 2016, José Fonte is confident of more success on Thursday, when Portugal take on Poland in the first quarter-finals. Having been an unused substitute for his country’s three group matches, Fonte then started the last-16 tie against Croatia, which Portugal won 1-0 thanks to Ricardo Quaresma’s goal deep into extra time
Agencies
Marseille
Following a debut to remember at EURO 2016, José Fonte is confident of more success tomorrow, when Portugal take on Poland in the quarter-finals.
Having been an unused substitute for his country’s three group matches, Fonte then started the last-16 tie against Croatia, which Portugal won 1-0 thanks to Ricardo Quaresma’s goal deep into extra time.
Fonte, as he had been in the warm-up matches, was thoroughly impressive at centre-half throughout the game, helping his nation to a vital clean sheet against a Croatia side that had looked like they could challenge for the title.
Fonte’s Saints teammate, Cédric, also played the full match, after being alongside him on the bench during the group stage, and the pair will be hoping to book a place in the semi-finals when they take on Poland tomorrow night, in Marseille.
Speaking at a press conference, Fonte said: "It is important that we recover well physically, because the game against Poland will be difficult. If they are at this stage of the Euros, it is because they have a lot of quality.
“They have shown this already in the group stages, so it will not be easy, but we will be ready.”
On making his debut at a major international tournament, Fonte added: “I always believed I could get here. It was a proud moment for me.
“To be here and to be a part of this group is a dream for all of us, but as the coach said, the important thing is to win. We are confident.”
