João Neves' former coach reveals detail about the midfielder: "It’s something he’s been working on" | OneFootball

Tiago Faustino trained João Neves - who reacted to the hat-trick for the National Team - at the Training and Development Center (CFT) in Algarve. A deep connoisseur of the former Benfica player since his first touches on the ball, the coach, currently taking a break from his career, recalls that the midfielder always had a knack for scoring goals.

"Even back then, João loved scoring goals. Whenever he could, he would go 'wet the soup'. At that time, also due to his physical stature, Benfica's plan for him was to be a central midfielder or a more offensive midfielder. Essentially, the roles he occupies today at the club and in the National Team", he said to the newspaper Record.

Tiago Faustino followed the development of João Neves and recalls: "The characteristics of his game, the knowledge he had of it, the mastery of technical and tactical aspects pointed him more towards an area close to the midfield".

The coach was impressed with the direct free-kick goal and says that "improving the approach to the opponent's area is something that (João Neves) has been working on. He himself mentioned not long ago that he has been doing this. He is now reaping the rewards of that work".

"It's the game, it's the game time... The experiences he is having are increasingly refining his understanding of the game. That has always been one of his assets, but with experience, it becomes more and more evident", he said, admitting that he usually talks to the former Benfica player. On this occasion, he didn't, but revealed what message he would leave: "You already score goals in every way imaginable. All that's left is to score with your eyes closed and with your back to the goal".

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.