Bernardo Silva is anticipating an almighty battle against William Saliba as Portugal and France prepare to face off for a semi-final place at Euro 2024, labelling the Arsenal defender a ‘wonderful player’.
In what is a repeat of the 2016 final, much of the focus will be on Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo as two of the great attacking players of the modern era clash at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion.
And while neither side have been at their free-flowing best this summer, the opportunity to stake a claim as one of the genuine contenders for the trophy is on offer and a semi-final encounter versus either Spain or tournament hosts Germany awaits.
Portugal finished top of Group F and earned their spot in the quarter-finals via a nervy penalty-shootout victory over Slovenia last time out, a game which saw Ronaldo go through a rollercoaster of emotions.
Meanwhile, France progressed as runners-up behind Austria in Group D and edged past Belgium at the last-16 stage thanks to a late own goal from Jan Vertonghen in Dusseldorf.
There has been a suggestion that France’s attacking approach – which has so far faltered – could suit their opponents but Portugal midfielder Silva is unsure how Didier Deschamps’ team will set up this evening.
Asked if France’s game-plan could actually work in Portugal’s favour, Silva replied: ‘Perhaps, I’m not sure. I don’t know how France will be playing.
‘I don’t know if they will defend with a high block or a low block.
‘Looking at the type of players they have, I think they are not geared to defend with 11 players behind the ball for 90 minutes.
‘There may be more space for either team.’
Silva is sure it ‘not be easy’ against Saliba, a player he knows well after Arsenal pushed his Manchester City side all the way to the final day in the English top flight last season.
‘Saliba is a rival in the Premier League and he is a wonderful player as well, one that I really like,’ Silva added.
‘I like the way he plays, his concentration, his focus.
‘He is always ready to help the team and it will not be easy against him.’
The City playmaker is set to come up against a former team-mate in Mbappe, who he says ‘stood out’ immediately as a precocious teenager at Monaco.
‘Kylian is a wonderful player. He started with us as Monaco when he was 16 years old and I remember very well after his first week with us and I would say, “Who is this kid?! Who is this kid?!”, because he stood out from the crowd. He was so different in training,’ Silva continued.
‘In my last season with Monaco, this is when Kylian scored so many goals, he really shone in the Champions League and I am so delighted for him that he was able to start blossoming into a wonderful career and I can only wish him the best for his career.
‘But not tomorrow [today]! Not tomorrow because I want us to qualify and I want to help Portugal, but it’s wonderful to see how far he has come.’
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