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SHOWS: OEIRAS, PORTUGAL (MAY 23, 2019) (REUTERS ACCESS-ALL) 1.
(SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PORTUGAL NATIONAL COACH, FERNANDO SANTOS, SAYING: "Yes it's true, it's a different competition, it's not a competition with a first stage with points and with qualification to the next stage, this is a competition of immediate, sudden death so if we want to be in the final, if we want to win the competition like all the others will want to, we must win the semi-final to be in the final and win it." 2.
(SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PORTUGAL NATIONAL COACH, FERNANDO SANTOS, SAYING: "Players have an enormous passion representing their country, to play for their country, they have showed it in all competitions but also in friendly matches so this is not different and beyond that when there is a title involved and that we, like the other three competitors in this competition, want to win.
So that is a motivating factor for sure." 3.
(SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PORTUGAL NATIONAL COACH, FERNANDO SANTOS, SAYING: "Essentially we need to be focused, do well what we want to do and that is what players will do.
Obviously also enjoy the match with the utmost concentration required but enjoying the match and our capacity into the pitch and always with the clear goal, victory.
And, as I said previously to one of the questions, if we want to be in the final and if we have the ambition to win this trophy we will have to begin winning against Switzerland." STORY: Hosts Portugal named their squad for next month's inaugural Nations League finals on Thursday (May 23) with Cristiano Ronaldo heading the bill and an inclusion for Benfica teenager Joao Felix.
Portugal will kick off the new competition with a semi-final against Switzerland in Porto on June 5, with the winners playing either England or the Netherlands in the final at the same venue four days later.
Ronaldo, 34, was included as expected, having returned to the squad after missing several matches last year following an agreement with coach Fernando Santos.
"This is a competition of immediate, sudden death so if we want to be in the final, if we want to win the competition like all the others will want to, we must win the semi-final," Santos said.
Joao Felix has had an outstanding debut season for Benfica, attracting the interest of clubs from around Europe, but is still uncapped by Portugal.
Goalkeepers: Beto (Goztepe), Rui Patricio (Wolverhampton Wanders), Jose Sa (Olympiakos) Defenders: Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund), Mario Rui (Napoli), Ruben Dias (Benfica), Jose Fonte (Lille), Pepe (Porto), Nelson Semedo (Barcelona), Joao Cancelo (Juventus) Midfielders: Danilo Pereira (Porto), William Carvalho (Betis), Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Bruno Fernandes (Porto), Pizzi (Benfica), Joao Moutinho (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Forwards: Rafa Silva (Benfica), Goncalo Guedes (Valencia), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Joao Felix (Benfica), Diogo Jota (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Dyego Sousa (Braga)