So after watching Madrid and Ronaldo win the champions league again last night, I noticed something. I think the system they have and the players they have, Portugal can emulate. Just hear me out. In defence Madrid's fullbacks are very similar to what we have. Raphael I am by no means saying is as good as Marcelo who is the best LB in the world. But Raphael is a similar player and I think is one of the best LB's in the world, albeit he hasn't played in that position this year for Dortmund. But still a similar player, if you watch Marcelo player for Madrid, does it not look very similar to the way Raphael plays for Portugal, they both impact the game in similar fashion. At right back Cedric very much reminds me of Carvajal. They play the game the same way, very similar styles. People say Carvajal is the best RB in the world, but hes not spectacular in any way. Hes just very solid, hes good defensively, he's good offensively, hes solid and fits there system perfectly. Cedric isn't special in any ways, he's just very solid, same attributes as Carvajal and plays the same way, I think he would be great for Barcelona to be honest. At CB obviously you have Pepe and Fonte so its not as solid as Ramos and Pepe/Varane but still a good centreback partnership. Up front on Madrid is Ronaldo and Benzema, I could argue that maybe Ronaldo and Andre Silva are a better partnership. But very similar for Madrid and Portugal. In Midfield Casimero is a solid player, I don't know if you would say Danilo or Carvalho are a big drop off from him. I actually really like William Carvalho and he is definitely the best passer of the 3. In place of Isco for Portugal you have a playmaker in Bernardo Silva, they have similarities although I think Bernardo is maybe a better playmaker. But again in the Portugal system emulating Madrid Bernardo Silva is a great fit. Luka Modric is a phenominal player, by no means am I saying that Moutinho is on his level, he isn't. But he is a very similar midfielder, very shifty, great control of the ball, great passer. Moutinho to me is a poor mans Modric, a great player just not elite like Modric, but very very similar style's of play. A very good fit for this Madrid system I would love to see Portugal play with, which they kind of do to be honest. We don't have a Kroos in our team. It is either Andre Gomes or Joao Mario in that midfield role. I prefer Joao Mario right now but maybe Gomes can grow into that role, he still has a lot of potential, and has such great size, we will see how he progresses with Barcelona. The wildcard for the World Cup will be Sanches, hopefully hes a starter for Bayern next year and he can take maybe Moutinho's spot. But all in all you can see there are quite a few similarities to the player's and system Madrid uses, to the players and system Portugal can use to emulate. Therefore for the confederation cup this is how I think Portugal should lineup. Patricio Cedric Pepe Fonte Raphael Carvalho Bernardo Silva Moutinho Mario Silva Ronaldo
Joao Mario OUT with calf injury ÚLTIMA HORA: João Mário falha Taça das Confederações devido a uma lesão no gémeo. pic.twitter.com/o5XaBQubPT— B24 (@B24PT) June 7, 2017
That's unfortunate but we have enough depth to overcome this loss. I'd have a midfield 4 now of Carvalho, Moutinho, Gomes and Bernardo Silva.
Joao Mario is the perfect player to play in midfield with William/Danilo and the other CM Superior to Andre Gomes, Adrien, Moutinho, or Pizzi. I guess now it will be a William/Danilo-Adrien/Moutinh-Andre Gomes trio I would just play Bernardo Silva behind a front three of Ronaldo-Andre Silva-Nani (Gelson as impact sub)
So who gets called up? Rony Lopes missed out on the U21, would be a good bench experience. Or will Eder get another chance to come off the bench?
They aren't calling anyone to replace him, CC permits 23 man squads and we called 24, with one to be dropped before the CC, so Mario it is
Thank you Too bad most observers don't appreciate Joao marios reliability , great first touch, and tactical strengths. He never loses the ball and works hard. He was unheralded at euro 16
We will probably find out tomorrow who starts the first game in the confederation cup. I am sure Santo's will be putting his preferred first team out tomorrow for the Latvia game. I predict: Cedric Pepe Fonte Raphael Carvalho Bernardo Moutinho Gomes Silva Ronaldo
Amen, me too. It'll be interesting to see who emerges from the confederation cup as a lock for starting for Portugal in the future. Has Nani's time gone as a starter now with Ronaldo and Silva up front. Will Bernardo Silva lock down the spot occupied by Gelson in the Latvia game. Will semedo have a chance to displace Cedric. Joao Mario is a big Loss but having Moutinho to replace him makes it a little easier to take. I'd like to see a midfield of Carvalho, Gomes, Moutinho, and Bernardo. This coming season will be interesting as well. If Coentrao regains his form playing regularly with Sporting and doesn't suffer injuries, then maybe Raphael moves to his club position in midfield for Portugal and we have a midfield of Raphael, Carvalho, gomes, and Bernardo silva.
Bernardo silva hasn't shown much in a Portugal shirt It's on him to make his mark , the confederations cup is his chance
Really hoping you guys win the confederations cup. Portugal seems to finally be playing up to their potential. I think they can win the confederations cup and be a threat for the World cup.
True Infantino is always pictured with figo, mourinho, mendes, and fpf people No wonder euro 2016 we didn't get as many bad calls against us like in prior tournaments Expecting a easy draw at the World Cup, hopefully Wales makes it and we play them on the semi final would be lulz
Watched Mexico last night with an eye towards the game on Sunday. They play a 4-3-3. Lots of skill in their lineup but nothing Santos won't be able to gameplan for. Vela against Rafa will be interesting but I'm sure Santos will have Adrien or Gomes cheat to our left hand side in defense.
Mexico will be hard , they are quick but if we play intelligent and William has a good game we should edge it 1-0 /2-1/2-0 I feel. This is of course assuming cr7 doesn't go buck wild and settle it himself which let's be honest is the most likely scenario. Too bad Sanches isn't on the team . I feel like he would own Mexico. Hopefully William Plays in slow motion but still dominates to troll everyone
US almost beat them yesterday. Bradley with almost two golacos. Mexico's style of play is long balls and crosses into the box. They get exposed on the counter attack.
They are quick on the counter but we know William will stay at home and Santos will prepare the rest of the midfield for the counters.
I don't put much stock into how US does against Mexico USA goes all out on Mexico, they go angry white men on them just like Germany does against us (Portuguese are sort of like the Mexicans of Europe ) Mexico will give us a hard game , the lawnmowers / construction workers of North America against europes equivalent USA usually kicks our ass too Hopefully we get to play Wales Croatia , Poland, and some more eastern euro teams at World Cup and we will be campeoes for sure