PORTUGAL VS RUSSIA 2017 FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP [R]

True but poor first touches and would lose the ball quickly when he did have it.

 

Was only
Able to catch second half , but hey first time we won in Russia so good result .

Our midfield looked more secure . Andre silva really helps our ability in the box.

Hopefully we can score a few vs New Zealand , but we should be good for the semis now

 

Gurreiro is at the hospital getting an xray on his ankle for a suspected fracture.

****

 

Watched at a soccer bar in Manhattan, a few Russian guys sat nearby wondering how Portugal could possibly win tournaments.

Liked all the changes to the lineups, just the variety. I suspected Russia was overpromoted but it was a home game for them. Overall encouraging in my view.

 

That's a huge blow for us.
As much as I like Bruno, with him and the old man at the back we are screwed with a team with pace up front.

 

We were play so defensively that Gelson did not register. Similar to Bernardo, Bernardo was playing more of a 8 or second right back for most of the second half. When he went to Monaco for more than half a season he was playing like a number 8, that is what I was impressed about, his work rate in the second half defensively. He only got beaten once and did the right thing and got a yellow. Santos ( a defensive coach) I think was impressed with this (or he should be). I think Bernardo will be rested against New Zealand and start in the semi-finals (if we get there).

 

We are stuck with Eliseu. LOL.

 

Good points
I stand corrected.
Maybe I was a little too premature with my assessment.
For the record, I like the kid, Bernardo that is.

 

He's like an ugly girlfriend or wife.

You know you gotta dump her, but until something better comes along....

 

Changing your mind when something more reasonable comes along is a sign of intelligence, part of the problem in this world is that there are too many burros (don't want to learn sh&*t). Been wrong plenty of times.
He seems to be a genuine nice guy (but look at Bill Cosby, I was shocked, he has got away with it for now).

 

I'm the first to admit that l don't know much about football.

 

Aaaaaand...now I feel like a genius. Mexico is very Portugal-like in its ability to play ugly against teams it should handle. Still plenty of time for it to turn the match around.

 

Sucks for Raphaël, 2 serious injuries this season already

 

I say use him as a 3rd CB and don't let him attack. We should be ok until we face Chile.

 

Maybe Eliseu will pull his Vespa out and fly up and down the field.

 

Was this at Smithfield? I watched a few of the Euro games there last year there and there were little to no Portuguese fans when I was there.

 

Excellent controlling first half. What great skill and movement with Bernardo, Andre Silva and CR7. Bruno & Pepe were rock solid. BBC was also solid with and without the ball.

Too bad we didn't capitalize on a few 2nd half chances to put that away early.
Russia showed very little but if they play with 2 up front vs. Mexico they may give them a go.

Time for new blood to work it's way into the starting 11 once again. Bring on Pizzi, Neto, and Semedo!

On a side note just caught some clips from the veloso- meireles midfield years...I threw up. Then saw almerda up front and threw up again. Just think of how blessed we are at this moment!

 

Dude, WTF? You trying to get us all to throw up?

 

I like that idea. Even the playing field.

 

BERNARDO SILVA has the best tactical awareness that i have seen in my entire life.

Should have cost Manchester City 120M.

Everyone that was defending his omission from the squad = cagoes.

Very proud of Santos. The man in the blue suit nailed it with the squad. I think he reads my posts.

 

Ive seen posts comparing us to past defensive Germany and Italy teams, people dont like the way we play. I dont really know why, we have a lot of technical players and play smart usually.

I will take it as a compliment, as those teams have plenty of trophies.

I think our 2004 loss to Greece was the catalyst for making our mentality stronger, and we have generally become more cynical since. We will never be Brazil 1970, more smart for us to Play like the old Italy teams as we have similar technical and physical qualities and dangerous strikers like CR7 and Andre Silva.

Spain was boring when they won the WC in 2010, they even lost a group stage game and won every game by 1 goal. They were the least impressive winner of a WC i've seen in my lifetime. Yet everyone loves them and hates Portugal 2016 at the Euros. We didnt lose any games, and scored NICE goals (I.e. Sanches v Poland, Ronaldo v hungary and wales, and Eder vs France).

William Carvalho is amazing and only those who understand football appreciate him.

 

Big blow if its true no Raphael...

I think that will mean Andre Gomes will keep on the left side of the midfield and be forced to defend more to help Eliseu.

also means Santos is more likely to stick to 4-4-2 for the above reason. Ronaldo and Eliseu on the same side is an open highway.

 

A.Silva really seems to look like what we have all been waiting for in a striker. If it wasn't for brilliant saves from both Ochoa and Akinfeev, he would have improved on his already impressive goal/cap ratio. Very sad about losing Raphael, but keeping hope Eliseu will be motivated and play above his ability.

 

That has always eluded me. It's probably because our players don't look as european.

There is no other explanation.