Euro 2008 Preview : Portugal
Portugal Preview
The time is now for Portugal if they truly wish to be considered amongst the games elite. Coming off hosting and making the finals of the previous European championship, Portugal limped into Euro 2008 finishing 2nd to Poland after securing a final day draw against Finland to see them through.
Portugal vs. Belgium in Euro 2008 Qualifying. That was just about the only game Portugal played to expectations
Portugal must avoid coming out of the gate slow which they have a history of doing. Be it in the 2006 World Cup with a sluggish 1-0 win against Angola, losing to Greece and the United States at Euro 2004 and the 2002 World Cup respectively. Then going all the way back to Euro 2000 where they went down 2-0 early to England only to come back and win 3-2.
This competition worries me for Portugal. Even in Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006 teams weren’t looking at Portugal at one of the World’s best. They still had that tag of playing pretty football but when the chips are down they fold. That isn’t the case anymore. Teams step it up a level when facing Portugal. The Czech Republic, Turkey and Switzerland will all see Portugal as the team to beat. Scolari’s men need to realize that and turn it up a level like wise in order to proceed further in the competition.
While they are question marks in goal with Ricardo having an horrid year this season in Spain playing for Real Betis. In Ricardo defense he always seems to play better when wearing the Portuguese jersey. Up front questions will have to be asked. Will Hugo Almeida be the one to head crosses home from the likes of Ronaldo, Simao and Quaresma? Can Hélder Postiga do what he was never able to do for Porto and that is find the back of the net consistently? Or will Ronaldo play up front which will allow two out the three between Simao, Quaresma and Nani to feature?
The days of Portugal playing beautiful football have been over for quite some time. That has been replacement with a back four that allows very few chances and even less goals. In the previous World Cup Portugal only allowed 2 goals the entire tournament. (Not counting the 3rd place German game, that was a glorified exhibition.) Chelsea Ricardo Carvalho is the commanding figure in that back line that also features new team mate Bosingwa. and Real Madrid’s Pepe.
Key Player – Cristiano Ronaldo
I’m sure that will come as a shock to many of you. Personally I don’t believe Ronaldo will be the reason if Portugal are to have success this summer. Someone else will need to step up in order for Portugal to succeed. That being said the eyes of the football world will still be locked on the Cristiano Ronaldo. Some hoping he leads Portugal to victory and some others hoping that he will fail.
Group A – Outlook
I don’t think Portugal will have a cake walk into the knockout round like they did at the previous World Cup. Turkey is exactly the type of team that can beat Portugal. Switzerland will also need to be respected since home nations generally do well in major tournaments.
Sinnacle Prediction – 2nd in Group A