Bench Frustration Meets Captaincy Duty as Bernardo Silva Outlines Tactical Shift
Bernardo Silva addressed the press from Portugal training camp ahead of their UEFA Nations League fixture against Denmark, opening up about his evolving duties for both club and country.
The midfielder step into a leadership role as the new captain of the Portuguese national team following the international retirement of Cristiano Ronaldo. However, his transition to life at Real Madrid has presented a different operational balance, with the player navigating reduced starter minutes under manager Jose Mourinho within a competitive squad structure.
Bernardo Silva
playerBernardo Silva on Squad Competition and Limited Playing Time
When asked about his opening months in Spain and his recent spell on the bench, Silva detailed the personal effect of limited starter selections while recognizing the selection challenges facing the coaching staff.
Jose Mourinho
coach“It’s always difficult. We all want to play, we all want to be useful. In my career, I have always been used to being useful, to participating. When I don’t participate, it’s obviously tough. The coach has 27 players, which are many, and only 11 can play at a time. It’s a pretty difficult job, to choose between such a talented team.”
Silva has recorded seven starts in La Liga for Real Madrid so far this season. The midfielder emphasized that his commitment to squad contribution remains fixed regardless of the specific workload assigned on matchdays.
“What I can guarantee from me is that I will always give my best and I will always be willing to try to improve and help the team in whatever is necessary, whether it is 5, 10, 30 or 90 minutes. Of course, I want to participate and feel useful.”
Bernardo Silva on Deeper Midfield Role and Tactical Evolution
Addressing the change in his positional profile from a high-volume central creator or wide option to a more central, deep-lying link player, Silva explained how age and tactical instruction have reshaped his movement on the pitch.
“Now I don’t know exactly why, but I’m more conservative, more thoughtful, very different than I was 10 years ago. That has led me to other positions, a little further back in the midfield. But I am always available to try to help the National Team and my club in what the coach deems necessary. The coach will have to answer that question. I think he sees me as an 8, a 10, a link between defense and attack. And not as much as an extreme.”
The adjustment places Silva in a structural zone tasked with balancing defensive phases and managing transitions. Managers expect him to operate as a functional connector across multiple phases of play rather than operating strictly high up the pitch.
“Therefore, that balance between defense and attack, which makes transitions, which helps with the pressure. The player who does a little bit of everything is what the coach expects of me.”
These comments were reported by Diario AS.