Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal limber up for semi against Wales with light-hearted session
Says team insider: 'The real work has been done - everyone knows what is expected. It's about keeping players on the boil'
CRISTIANO RONALDO and his Portugal teammates were full of beans as they limbered up for their tomorrow's Euro 2016 semi-final showdown with Wales.
Coach Fernando Santos put his players through their paces with a series of well-worn routines and the odd pep talk.
It was generally a light-hearted rehearsal, with former Manchester United ace Nani smiling throughout, for the game in Lyon, where Ronaldo will go head-to-head with Real Madrid colleague Gareth Bale.
"The real work has already been done - everyone knows what is expected of them, it's a question of just keeping the players on the boil and not peaking too early," said a Portuguese insider. "Tomorrow is a massive day - and everyone knows it."
The semi-final is obviously a mega moment in Welsh soccer history given Bale and co. are contesting a major tournament for the first time since 1958.
But also for Portugal, who are desperate to make it to a major final again, 12 years after losing the Euro 2004 final against Greece.
Centre back Pepe, completely absent from Monday's training session due to a thigh problem, was able to do some light work on the pitch today.
But he was spotted on his own while his teammates went through some familiar routines.
The 33-year-old has started all five of Portugal's matches in the tournament.
Rarely has a team reached a tournament semi-final without having won a match in 90 minutes, but Portugal have done so - with only a late extra-time winner against Croatia breaking a series of stalemates.
Even the most ardent Portugal supporter would admit they have ridden their luck through the tournament so far.