“We have to play highly focused, organized and determined [football]. Be more regular. If that happens, we will not notice the cold and we will be closer to our goal”, summarized the athlete
If the country does not win in Finland, with whom they share the lead of group E with 16 points, Portugal concludes its qualifying games four days later, on 23 February, in a game with Scotland.
“We have two games to do this, not one. What matters is that we are a victory from making history again, as we can reach the Euro with a record score in the qualifying phase”, she reinforced.
The athlete takes on the “extra motivation” to be able to qualify directly, but recalls that the Portuguese reached Euro2017 precisely through the 'play-off'.
"If we manage to qualify directly, Euro2022 will certainly have a special flavor", added the player from Sporting.
Tatiana warns of the “accentuated physical power” of rivals, used to “try to unblock the paths and arrange spaces” and also warns of the dangers of the “direct game” of the Nordics.
“We have to respect Finland and give everything to win. In our last meeting, already in this qualification, we were superior in the 90 minutes, but a small distraction in the final moments allowed them to draw (1-1). These are flaws that we cannot have in any game", she concluded.
Belgium, Denmark, Germany, France, Iceland, Netherlands, title champions, Norway, Sweden and host England are already qualified, while Northern Ireland, Russia and Ukraine are in the play-offs. Portugal and Finland, Poland and Spain have the possibility to qualify in the first place of the respective groups.
The winners of each group are admitted for the final stage plus the three best runners-up. The remaining teams will play in a 'play-off'.