Gabriel Bás: “Our focus is on the team, Azerbaijan comes second” | OneFootball

Gabriel Brás emphasized that the Portuguese under-21 national team, which hosts Azerbaijan on Friday at the start of the qualifying phase for the 2027 European Championship, should above all prioritize the way it plays.

“We analyze [the opponent], but our first focus is always on our team, how we play and train, Azerbaijan comes second. We have been working to arrive at the game as prepared as possible,” said the central defender at a press conference in a hotel in Braga, where the team is holding its training camp.

The 21-year-old defender acknowledged Portugal’s status as favorites “with a certain responsibility, but with our feet firmly on the ground: we know we have the quality and the ability to show that in the games.”

With Luís Freire taking over as head coach, ending a 15-year cycle under Rui Jorge with the under-21s, Gabriel Brás highlighted the need for players to prove they are “in a space of great demand and responsibility,” where they must “prepare themselves as much as possible” for the upcoming challenges.

The player also mentioned he was left with “a very positive impression” of Luís Freire, describing the coach as “super demanding.”

Captain of FC Porto B, Gabriel Brás, when asked about bringing that leadership profile to the national team, stressed: “what I do at the club is what brings me to the national team, it’s a place I really enjoy being and sharing with other players, to give my best and my all.”

Portugal begins the qualifying phase for the 2027 under-21 European Championship on Friday, hosting Azerbaijan at the Estádio Cidade de Barcelos at 7:30 pm, and faces Scotland four days later in Motherwell at 7:00 pm.

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