Portugal - Iceland (R)

Euro 2016 officially kicks off with this game

lets be honest here, this whole tournament is full of garbage and everyone should just thank themselves they are in a same tournament as CR7, because none at this cup is even close to his level.

and folks will be surprised at Portugal this year, we are far from a one-man team as people seem to think, especially with the emergence of new talents.

 

Quaresma being injured means Nani will start even though he has been in bad form. Likely squad

-----------------Patricio--------
Vieirinha--Pepe-Carvalho--Guerreiro (hopefully)
---------------Danilo--Moutinho-----
Mário-----------------------------------Gomes
---------------Nani-Ronaldo---------------

Many unknown names to many people. But Guerreiro, Danilo, Mário and Gomes have been making a name for themselves in the French, Portuguese and Spanish first divisions and could well move to bigger clubs sooner rather than later.

As far as Iceland is concerned can't say I know much but their qualification has surprised almost everyone.

 

Our weakest links are the side defenders:

NAME------ATTACK-----DEFENSE

Eliseu----------OK------------OK
Guerreiro-----GOOD-------??????
Cédric----------OK-----------SHAKY
Vieirinha------BAD-----------OK

Midfield center we have lots of depth. Needless to say I don't care much who gets injured/suspended because we will always have a proper replacement.

On the attack front, Quaresma impressed a lot with his driblling and lethal crosses but due to muscle pains will most likely miss this match against Iceland. With Bernardo Silva not in the squad due to injury it will fall to Santo's 2nd favorite Nani, despite Rafa being touted a better option.

If Iceland counter-attacks through our flanks and long passes behind our high defensive line (with R. Carvalho/José Fonte on the slow side) then they might have chances to put one past us. Nani in XI most likely means that he will be easily nulified. He's even a shadow of his inconsistent self when in M. United. This might mean good news to Iceland since C. Ronaldo will have little service if we resort to early crosses. It'll fall down to whose side defender starts and offensively good he is and if João Mário or André Gomes can cut through the middle.

Most likely XI:

--------------------------------R. Patrício---------------------------------

Vieirinha------------Pepe------------------R. Carvalho---------Eliseu/R. Guerreiro

---------------------------------Danilo--------------------------------------

--------André Gomes--------Moutinho----------João Mário------------

---------------------Nani--------------------C. Ronaldo-------------------

 

How can you be more than a one-man team if everyone other than Ronaldo is supposedly garbage?

 

Just to add, I am confident in the depth of Portugal's midfield, but that will only take us so far. The CB's are experienced and very good inside the area, but they are a bit slow. The SB's are relatively good while attacking but average at defending, so the midfield will have to do a great job covering them up. The attack is clearly the weakest section. Quaresma is Portugal's greatest hope for having some creativity up front. André Gomes is also capable of that, but it will be tough for him to deliver against a solid Icelandic block. So, essentially, I think the game will come down to how inspired is the Portuguese attack and how capable Iceland will be of taking advantage of Portugal's aged defence. Don't expect a match with many goal chances.

 

This one's for Cristiano Ronaldo...

 

huuuuiiii

 

What a chance by Siggursdon

 

Every time Ronaldo complains take a drink. Won't make it through the match!!

 

Iceland a bit disappointing so far. Portugal look good.

 

Niceland!!!!

 

50'

1-1!

ICELAND GOAL!

 

Ronaldo is not happy!

 

I do have the Austrian feed and they're not happy either as of the display of Iceland

 

Wow, Iceland have been under siege tonight. They can't even get over the half line.

 

What a finish here!!

 

FT: 1-1.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Two upsets today!

 

I'm not upset at all. [emoji23] [emoji23] [emoji23]

 

hoping for iceland and Hungary qualify from this group.

 

Lack of character. That sums up Portugal's performance tonight. We usually start with the left foot in any major tournament but this is too embarassing.

As expected the goal came from one of our side defenders, in this case Vieirinha who was piss poor throughout the game. I hope Cédric gets to see some minutes. João Mário should prolly be given one last chance against Austria although I would be fine with Adrien playing over him.

All in all, deserved draw for Iceland. If Portugal play nervously like this again against Austria, then bye bye Euro.

 

Just curious, are most people in here happy about the result because they dislike Ronaldo that much?

I'm neutral on the result, just wanted to be entertained. I thought the game was a little better than what I thought it'd be. It's pretty cool for Iceland, they must be celebrating like crazy right now!

 

I think you guys played well. No display of complacency as you insinuated. It's always going to be tough when the opponent comes out with foam at the mouth. and dont forget that it was Iceland to leave Holland behind in qualification

 

Bad defending by Vieirinha/Pepe cost us the game. Portugal have been getting many 1-0 results and for this to happen the defending has to be good. Pepe also had a bad game overall. Mário was disappointing. Moutinho needs to be benched. Ronaldo was not good enough.