The Portuguese star João Neves, midfielder for Paris Saint-Germain, is preparing for a heavyweight clash against Liverpool in the first leg of the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, emphasizing his strong confidence in his team and their ability to deliver a strong performance against the English giant.

Neves spoke about his upcoming opponent, praising Liverpool's capabilities, but expressed optimism about Paris Saint-Germain's ability to impose their style, stating: "Liverpool is a very strong team; they topped their group. We need to avoid conceding early goals, but I am happy with the way we play, and if we can replicate that tomorrow, we will be in a good position to achieve a positive result."

Regarding the development of Paris Saint-Germain's performance compared to the start of the season, Neves noted that the team has become more cohesive and confident, saying: "At the beginning of the Champions League, we weren't playing badly, but we weren't scoring many goals. Now we haven't lost in four months, we are in a great dynamic, and we have a lot of confidence in ourselves."

When asked about Liverpool's strong midfield, Neves explained that controlling the ball would be the best solution to limit their danger, stating: "The best way to defend against those players is to have the ball and keep it. We will do our best, and we will move and pass the ball quickly. As a team, I believe we are the best."

The young player confirmed that fighting spirit would be a decisive factor in this match, emphasizing the importance of duels, saying: "Fighting spirit can be the key to winning. In matches of this magnitude, every challenge and every duel for the ball can make a difference."

Neves also talked about his teammates, expressing his admiration for Ousmane Dembélé, saying: "He is a great person; I prefer the human being over the player. I am very happy to play alongside him, and I learn a lot from him."

He also praised his teammate Vitinha, pointing to the strong relationship between them: "Viti? He is a wonderful person; we have a very good relationship both on and off the pitch. He has helped me a lot since I arrived in Paris."

Regarding his aerial prowess despite his shorter stature compared to midfield players, Neves joked: "I'm not the tallest, but I'm not the smallest either. I always try to adapt and play smart."