Valente confident of keeping Beckham quiet
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Portugal defender Nuno Valente is confident of outplaying David Beckham when they face England on Saturday.
The Everton defender said: "Beckham is a very good player and very dangerous because he is such an expert at free-kicks and set-pieces. But I believe I will stop him.
"We are going to be fit and strong. We will have had six days to prepare for the match, which will include a free day.
"Our preparation for Saturday could not be better. And I will play the whole match.
"England are a good team with good players. But Portugal are a very, very strong side.
"England's strengths are in crossing, free-kicks and corners. We have to try to prevent these from happening.
"Their football is not always beautiful but it is effective. We will have to be cautious against England because they are a very dangerous team with a lot of experience."
Teammate Pauleta, 33, roared: "We are not afraid of England, we are not afraid of anyone.
"Anyone who knows even the slightest thing about Portuguese history will understand that.
"People have been saying England are playing badly. I don't agree. They have won games and they haven't conceded too many goals.
"Everybody was also saying Spain were playing the best football at the World Cup and, look, they are out.
"My big ambition at the moment is to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup here.
"The squad and our performance are the most important things but, if I can score a goal as well, I will be happy. However people think England are playing, this is going to be a difficult game - all the games at this stage are.
"England have world-class players and we cannot think about our victory over them two years ago. They are two different games.
"England have a squad full of good players and Saturday's game will be decided by small things, small details.
"I only hope the details work in Portugal's favour.
"We are practically the same players but with two years more experience. We are stronger in all aspects."
The Everton defender said: "Beckham is a very good player and very dangerous because he is such an expert at free-kicks and set-pieces. But I believe I will stop him.
"We are going to be fit and strong. We will have had six days to prepare for the match, which will include a free day.
"Our preparation for Saturday could not be better. And I will play the whole match.
"England are a good team with good players. But Portugal are a very, very strong side.
"England's strengths are in crossing, free-kicks and corners. We have to try to prevent these from happening.
"Their football is not always beautiful but it is effective. We will have to be cautious against England because they are a very dangerous team with a lot of experience."
Teammate Pauleta, 33, roared: "We are not afraid of England, we are not afraid of anyone.
"Anyone who knows even the slightest thing about Portuguese history will understand that.
"People have been saying England are playing badly. I don't agree. They have won games and they haven't conceded too many goals.
"Everybody was also saying Spain were playing the best football at the World Cup and, look, they are out.
"My big ambition at the moment is to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup here.
"The squad and our performance are the most important things but, if I can score a goal as well, I will be happy. However people think England are playing, this is going to be a difficult game - all the games at this stage are.
"England have world-class players and we cannot think about our victory over them two years ago. They are two different games.
"England have a squad full of good players and Saturday's game will be decided by small things, small details.
"I only hope the details work in Portugal's favour.
"We are practically the same players but with two years more experience. We are stronger in all aspects."
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