Bruno Romão, 42, born in Lisbon, is well-versed in the state of football development in Cape Verde. Currently coaching CS Universitatea Craiova, his extensive career includes assistant coaching roles for Sporting CP youth teams, Al-Hilal FC youth teams, the Portuguese national team, and the Cape Verde national team. He was interviewed by 'AS' to analyze the team that will face Spain in their first 2026 FIFA World Cup match.
What kind of opponent will Spain face against Cape Verde?
This team has excellent ball control, rich international experience, and has achieved many successes in African competitions.
Do you think this match will be fast-paced, or will Cape Verde retreat and defend steadfastly?
Against an opponent like Spain, Cape Verde will opt for a compact formation, low block defense, and seize opportunities to launch counterattacks. It is crucial for Spain to proactively increase the pace of the game, firmly control possession, and be wary of the opponent's transitions between defense and attack.
Underestimating a team like Cape Verde in a major tournament is a huge mistake; this team possesses immense fighting spirit and a sense of honor. Even if Spain is the FIFA World Cup champion, with more individual talent and tournament experience, they must still approach the first match with the right attitude and respect for their opponent.
Which players should de la Fuente focus on marking? Where do Cape Verde's strengths lie?
Overall, Cape Verde has a balanced squad, so there's no need to focus on marking one specific player. Instead, the team needs to be restricted as a whole. The midfield and forward lines are Cape Verde's two major strengths.
Is their playing style more African or European?
Cape Verdean players' style is closer to European football. Most players in the squad play for excellent clubs in major European leagues, which gives the entire team a more European playing style.
Will Cape Verdean players feel pressure debuting in the FIFA World Cup against the reigning champions?
I don't think so; the real pressure is on the Spanish team. Cape Verdean players won't be intimidated by a strong opponent in their first match.
With Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia also in the group, what do you think are Cape Verde's chances of reaching the Round of 16?
Cape Verde's goal is to be competitive in this FIFA World Cup. For the players, enjoying the game and focusing on the pitch are key. They have a chance to earn points and advance from the group stage. Being in a group surrounded by strong opponents, the path to qualification won't be easy.
In terms of individual ability, Cape Verde is stronger than Saudi Arabia, but Uruguay has more international tournament experience. If they can get points from Spain, the difficulty of playing against Uruguay will also increase accordingly. Defeating Saudi Arabia is a realistic goal, and with that win, the team will have a chance to advance to the Round of 16.
You are Portuguese, and the Portuguese team just won the Nations League. Is this the strongest squad in their history?
Winning the Nations League is certainly commendable. Today's Portuguese team boasts one of the top squads in its history, but it is not the strongest ever. Each squad has its corresponding historical context, and in the last 10 to 15 years, this team has had the most diverse player selection. Keep in mind that in 2016, we won the European Championship with a different squad, and we should respect the team's past history.
Even if Portugal wins the FIFA World Cup, do you think Ronaldo will choose to retire from the national team?
Whether they can win is still unknown; only Ronaldo himself knows the answer to that question.
How do you evaluate the playing style of the team built by Roberto Martínez?
A coach should be judged by the goals he sets and the results he achieves. Martínez has delivered a good performance with the team, and we won the Nations League with an excellent display.
Which teams are favorites to win this FIFA World Cup? Which team do you think will be the dark horse?
Previous FIFA World Cup champions are strong contenders. In my opinion, Spain and France, based on their playing styles, are the two big favorites to win, and Portugal might be a dark horse.
Brazil has also been a FIFA World Cup champion, but I'm not sure about their current competitive form. If this traditional powerhouse performs normally, they still have the strength to contend for the title. After the first two group stage matches, we will be able to see the true level of all the favorites.
Besides Morocco and Senegal, which other African teams do you think can achieve good results in this tournament?
Morocco and Senegal both have the potential to deliver outstanding performances. Côte d'Ivoire has exceptionally talented players, and in my opinion, they are also competitive and not far from the top level. Besides these, Algeria and Egypt are also forces to be reckoned with in African football.
Leaving aside the FIFA World Cup, let's talk about club competitions. Will Hjulmand be the core midfielder Real Madrid needs next season?
This player used to play for Sporting CP, a team that primarily plays a possession-based system and is accustomed to controlling the ball and dictating the pace of the game. Hjulmand plays an important role in connecting the front and back lines within the team, but his scoring ability still has room for improvement.
In a three-man midfield system, he can perform as an all-round midfielder; while at Sporting CP, he primarily played as a defensive midfielder, working alongside two other midfield teammates.
Is he more suited to Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Premier League teams, or Serie A teams?
Hjulmand needs to join a team that takes the initiative in games, as he has the ability to be a central figure on the pitch. His performance in defensive transitions is excellent, and he is a natural leader, very talented, and well-suited for strong teams like Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, who are good at transitioning from defense to attack.
I cannot currently determine his most prominent advantage. In strong, possession-based teams in the Premier League and Serie A, he can also play a significant role, both enriching the team's attacking system and controlling the pace of the defense. He is good at communication on the field, highly motivated, proactive in challenges, and plays with a tough style, which can bring a lot of help to the team.