Sagna added: “Sure, he’s an exceptional player, but I have to play against top players every week so it doesn’t scare me”.
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Portugal ace Cristiano Ronaldo admits that winning a trophy on the global stage is something he has “always dreamed of” as he prepares for the Euro 2016 final. “A victory. always gives a country the feeling that it can succeed, not only in sport but also in economy and culture, on the worldwide stage, in politics and diplomacy”, he added. Wales reached the semifinals of the Euro 2016, Iceland beat England in the round of 16 and reach the quarters, Hungary and Northern Ireland making it to the second round; many great stories and fun atmosphere with fans from all across Europe.
Perennial almost men and three-time beaten semi-finalists in this competition, this is Portugal’s first appearance in the final since their shock defeat to Greece in Lisbon at Euro 2004.
Cristiano Ronaldo was a teenager when Portugal, with Luis Figo as their talisman, suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Greece before a disbelieving crowd in Lisbon in the Euro 2004 final.
With his great rival Lionel Messi’s Argentina career up in the air – the Barcelona star announced his global retirement following a defeat on penalties by Chile in the Copa America final – Ronaldo has an extra incentive to win on Sunday.
Similarly, Pepe does not see Sunday’s encounter as an opportunity for Griezmann to establish himself alongside Ronaldo and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi as a leading superstar of world football.
For a generation of France players this is their first major final, particularly Antoine Griezmann, the star of his home tournament with six goals heading into the final – double Ronaldo’s tally.
Should France triumph, it will be their third major tournament success on home soil after they won the European title in 1984 and the World Cup in 1998.
Portugal essentially use a four-man defence in conjunction with a midfield diamond, an approach none of the other 23 teams in this competition used as their default system. “And together, they make a very strong team”.
In Euros, the prize money for the champions of Euro 2016, up a half a million from the 2012 final.
Pepe has seemed on his best behavior at Euro 2016, cutting out the hard fouls that helped make his reputation and the play-acting simulation that angered many watchers of the recent Champions League final. “They deserved to win the match and the Euro”.
“We went through a crisis in French football but managed to pick ourselves up”, said Lloris who was on the French squad six years ago in South Africa.
Portugal have lost their last ten meetings with France; however, Portuguese midfielder, Joao Mario believes that his side can cause a surprise in Paris. I think I was with you.
“If there is an anti-Ronaldo plan, like a recipe, no one has yet found”, Xinhua quoted Deschamps as saying at the pre-final press conference at the Stade de France. “They’re older and more experienced, that’s normal, but we’re also a bit cheeky towards them, which comes from our youth”. Since the tournament started, nobody has beaten us, and I hope France aren’t going to beat us either. “We want to give them something to celebrate”.
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“It’s going to be a tough game for both of us”.
