Moutinho endorses Portugal progress

Joao Moutinho believes Paulo Bento is the right man to lead Portugal to Euro 2012 glory.

Bento, 43, has successfully guided his country through the ‘Group of Death’ in Poland and Ukraine, beating 2010 FIFA World Cup finalists Netherlands and Denmark on their way to the quarter-finals.

Portugal midfielder Moutinho, who played under Bento at Sporting Lisbon, said the 43-year-old has stamped his mark on the squad, and claimed all the players have been receptive to the coach’s ideas since he took charge in 2010.

“Of course I believe that Paulo Bento can guide us to success,” Moutinho told TVI.

“It is great to have a coach like him. He is doing a great job. I have known him for years.

“His name is written all over this team. Ever since day one, he has transmitted what he wanted, and we take those ideas in.”

Porto man Moutinho went on to acknowledge his own shortcomings in recent games, and feels he needs to hit the target more if he is to help the team progress.

“I have said it before and yes, I think I need to score more goals,” he said.

“But I am not obsessed with that, I am here to help. An assist is like a goal for me. If I score, the better. But if everyone could choose, they would choose to win and not to score.

“Things have been going well for me. I like to talk to my team-mates. Communication is key. That is how I play, I never give up.”

Portugal will play the winner of Saturday’s quarter-final between Spain and France in the semi-finals on June 27.