An opportunity to make your debut Tiago Djalo he found it and took it. The Porto central defender, on loan from Juventus, experienced a special moment yesterday in Split with the Portuguese national team, because after the call received from the coach Roberto Martinez he also took to the pitch in the 63rd minute to replace the injured Tomas Araujo.
Despite the draw, the defender owned by the Juventus club declared a RTP who will guard this I remember Croatia as a dream come true: “I’m very happy with the debut. The team could have won, we didn’t succeed, but in the next match we will do better. It was a special evening for me, for my family and my friends, because it was something I wanted”, the 24-year-old said.
Landed at Port in the summer, he took over the spot from holder in the last few games, with these first minutes with the national team, despite a season that started later: “It was a question of quality. Without wanting to seem arrogant, I am happy to have changed the course of my career. I know that I can give a lot more and I’m grateful for everything I’ve achieved. Taking Pepe’s place? The important thing is to do what I know how to do, give my best and work. I just have to thank FC Porto for the opportunity they gave me to come back to compete.”
For the future, however, Tiago Djaló is already looking to the quarter-finals of the Nations League: “There is still a lot of time until the next phase. It is not what I did today that determines my next call-up. I believe, however, that if it will depend on the quality and performance, I will definitely return to this national team group”, he comments.