Can Big Phil Do it Again?
Portugal is one of the teams that has a good chance of winning the World Cup just because the team is a good blend of youth and experience. Also, the wily Felipe Scolari having won the World Cup with Brazil last time, would be looking do it again with Portugal.
Portugal has a good central defence in Carvalho and Meira. It looks to be seen if they will miss Andrade who is out of the WC due to injury. Hopefully, Miguel should play instead of Ferreira at RB. Deco, Maniche and Costinha should form a good midfield although the latter two haven't had much football at their respective clubs this season. So, there is a possibility that Petit comes in for Costinha. Figo and Ronaldo should be the wingers although Simao should provide stiff competition to them for a place in the starting lineup.
Pauletta is irreplaceable in the striker's role as he is Portugal's top scorer. Boa Morte, Nuno Gomes and Postiga would be his backups.
Portugal has always flattered to deceive at the highest level, although they did reach the finals at Euro 2004. This is the last chance for captain Figo who has won everything at the club level but nothing with the national team. Can he inspire them to glory this summer? It's difficult, not impossible.
Probable Team...
Portugal has a good central defence in Carvalho and Meira. It looks to be seen if they will miss Andrade who is out of the WC due to injury. Hopefully, Miguel should play instead of Ferreira at RB. Deco, Maniche and Costinha should form a good midfield although the latter two haven't had much football at their respective clubs this season. So, there is a possibility that Petit comes in for Costinha. Figo and Ronaldo should be the wingers although Simao should provide stiff competition to them for a place in the starting lineup.
Pauletta is irreplaceable in the striker's role as he is Portugal's top scorer. Boa Morte, Nuno Gomes and Postiga would be his backups.
Portugal has always flattered to deceive at the highest level, although they did reach the finals at Euro 2004. This is the last chance for captain Figo who has won everything at the club level but nothing with the national team. Can he inspire them to glory this summer? It's difficult, not impossible.
Probable Team...
Ricardo
Miguel Carvalho Meira Valente
Petit
Figo Deco Maniche Ronaldo
Pauletta
Miguel Carvalho Meira Valente
Petit
Figo Deco Maniche Ronaldo
Pauletta
Goalkeepers: Ricardo Pereira (Sporting), Quim Silva (Benfica), Bruno Vale (Estrela Amadora).
Defenders: Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Miguel Monteiro (Valencia), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Fernando Meira (VfB Stuttgart), Marco Caneira (Sporting), Ricardo Costa (Porto), Nuno Valente (Everton).
Midfielders: Armando Petit (Benfica), Costinha (Dynamo Moscow), Tiago Mendes (Olympique Lyon), Maniche Ribeiro (Chelsea), Hugo Viana (Valencia), Luis Figo (Inter Milan), Deco (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Simao Sabrosa (Benfica).
Strikers: Luis Boa Morte (Fulham), Pauleta (Paris ST Germain), Nuno Gomes (Benfica), Helder Postiga (Saint Etienne).
posted by Lucas @ 6:10 AM
6 Comments:
The main problem with Portugal is that their forwards dont score enough.Pauletta has had a good season in France but you can never expect him to score many.
Too much burden on the midfielders.The main strength for Portugal is the wingers. Figo, Ronaldo, Simao..Those are all super players.Big Phil has to be a very brave man to not start Simao.He has had a great season at Benfica and is on his way to EPL to join Chelsea or Liverppol.
Maniche (Who now is back with Dynamo Moscow) has had a poor season Wit Chelsea and must be low on confidence. But then he ll come up with something like that goal against Holland at Euro.Very unpredicatble...
Petit will be crucial.What happened to Andrade?Bad form?injured?Is he still at the Riazor?
He almost signed for Manu last season.whats going on there?
i Hope that they have gotten over the whole Deco being Brazilian thing...
i dont agree with u...Portugal dont have any superstar forwards but Pauletta has been scoring consistently for them...but he has to prove himself on the biggest stage, although he did score a hat-trick last WC against Portugal.
As u mentioned, the wingers will play a very crucial role...Big Phil might probably bring on Simao for Figo after an hour. Tiago, who had an excellent season with Lyon can play instead of Maniche.
Andrade is injured...that's y he isnt there.
I don't think Portugal are playing with only one striker upfield. Yes, Pauleta is a goalscorer, but he doesn't get the numbers.
I think we would see a strike partnership, with the addition of either Boa Morte or Nuno Gomes. The latter looks more promising for the partnership.
@soccerguy
i am not sure Big Phil will go with 2 strikers...we'll see a formation that is similar to the one he used in Euro '04.
Pauleta/Nuno Gomez/Postiga/ no striker, I'm bullish about Portugal's chances b'coz of their wing power(Simao on bench!!!) and their midfielders who're really good in long rangers(Tiago has also sent down some screamers in club level) and Scolari's ability to extract the best out of the players.
Portugal may depend a bit too much on its wingers...they did struggle against Greece in the Euro final when they came up against a solid defence!
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