Portugal

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After a disappointing qualification campaign which saw them draw to minnows Cyprus and lose to Norway and Denmark, the A Selecção are looking nowhere near their best going into this year’s Championships. Drawing with Germany, Netherlands and Denmark in the so called Group of Death has not helped their cause either. A quarter-final berth looks a certain dream for Portugal in Euro 2012.

Formation & Tactics

The Selecção are past their golden generation with only a single spark left in the team – Cristiano Ronaldo, who himself has no international goal this calendar year. Deco has been replaced by a below par – Meiereles and the midfield pairing of Moutinho and Veloso are pretty much overhyped. With the likes of Figo and Simao no longer in the team, one cannot think of any ‘brain’ in the team apart from C.Ron. Nani who considers him to be one of the best wingers in the world has a footballing brain the size of an ant and any expectation of him playing the Number 10 (which was experimented by Bento in the recent friendly) should be considered as a sheer act of foolishness rather than a masterstroke. The Number 9 too has pretty much eluded the Portuguese side over the past decade with players like Postiga/Almeida all the English equivalent of a Heskey and can conjure pretty much close to nothing on a football field. Oliveira on the other hand is one to look out for the future and it would be a surpirse if he plays any part in the tournament. The Defence looks decent with Coentrao, Bruno Alves, Real’s Pepe and Valencia’s Joao Pereira. Eduardo and Rui Patricio in goal are anything but World class but make up decent GoalKeepers. Portugal’s gameplan will depend on the pace of Ronaldo and Nani with Veloso and Moutinho distributing first time to the wings. Raul Meierles is expected to do the usual- blast 10 balls off target in 90” and expect to score. Coentrao is another decent attacking option. With Ronaldo cutting inside, Coentrao can utilize the space in the wing to create opportunities. Portugal can be even dangerous from set pieces with Ronaldo’s free kicks and even from corners. Pepe , Bruno Alves and Ronaldo pose a serious aerial threat if the corners are not taken by Nani.
Summarizing we can expect a fast paced game from Portugal with 48-50% possession in a match. Counter-attacks and set-pieces seem to be the areas in which they look to be the most dangerous and face an uphill task if they are to reach the latter stages of the tournament.

Star Player – Cristiano Ronaldo

The huge expectations on Portugal going into this tournament are clearly because they have one of the best players of our generation in Cristiano Ronaldo. 60 goals in 55 appearances and the La Liga title in 2011-12, Cristiano would have to continue his club form if the Selecção mean business in Euro 2012. He can pass, shoot with both feet, take on players, score with his head and even from free-kicks – the modern day complete footballer. Cristiano Ronaldo, to nobody’s surprise is the man to watch for Portugal.
Prediction

 A poor qualifying campaign followed by dismal performances in the international friendlies, Portugal are staring straight at a group stage exit. Anything more would be considered an overachievement for this lot.

Star Rating –3.5

 Aamer Aslam