Intro:

Portugal prepare for their opening Euro 2016 qualifier against Albania in Aveiro on Saturday (6th September).

Script:

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Ricardo Costa, Portugal defender:

"We've already put behind the disappointment of the World Cup behind us. Now we have to think about (the Euro) 2016. We have a very difficult match tomorrow. We have to start with on the right foot and that means we have to respect the Albanian team which is, from what we have analyzed, a very complete squad, very dangerous, very complicated tactically and very quick. What we are really focused on now is to be well prepared for tomorrow's match and come out with the win."

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Paulo Bento, Portugal coach (On Cristiano Ronaldo's absence) :

"There is no team that becomes stronger playing without the best player in the world. But the teams can still be strong without the best player in the world and that is what we are going to try to be tomorrow. The strongest possible squad without the best player among us."

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Paulo Bento, Portugal coach:

"We have to live up to our 'favourites' label and translate what may be a theoretical advantage by putting it into practice. It's clear to us we want to go to Euro 2016, that is our great goal and we want to finish in first place (in our group)."