After Benfica struggles, City star offers Tomás Araújo advice | OneFootball

Rúben Dias sent a message of confidence to Tomás Araújo and Renato Veiga after Portugal’s debut at the World Cup, against the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Manchester City centre-back assured that communication between the National Team defenders is constant and highlighted the importance of giving confidence to the younger teammates.

“Naturally, communication happens. Not because they were going to play this match, but since the beginning of the training camp and on other occasions. We have a relationship in which the four of us have the mission of passing on as much confidence as possible to those in front of us,” said the Portugal international.

The former Benfica player also stressed that Tomás Araújo and Renato Veiga must play without any fear of taking responsibility on the pitch, regardless of the experience or status of the teammates around them: “I wouldn’t focus on anything specific, other than telling them to be themselves and not be shy at all about doing everything they had to do and saying everything they had to say,” he explained.

“Even if, at times, they have to say a harsher word to a teammate who already has status or many years with the national team, they should not be ashamed at all to do it, because it is part of being efficient in what they have to do,” he added.

The statements come after Tomás Araújo took responsibility for the goal conceded by Portugal in the draw against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a result that marked the debut of Roberto Martínez’s team at the World Cup.

The Benfica centre-back acknowledged that the National Team failed to create enough chances to secure victory and regretted the way the opposition goal came about: “There was a lot of sideways and backward passing. We were not able to create much danger. The second half changed a little and we created some chances, but it was not enough. And then we conceded from a set piece, which cannot happen,” he admitted.

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