Can we please make this the thread we discuss the match in? Firstly, i am curious what everyone thinks of the game in terms of predictions? Pepe wil not be part of the team due to suspension.. and i must pray to God, Santos does not include the core of the Euro 16 line up in the game tomorrow.. altho A.Gomes has withdrawn due to injury.. Quite a few of our guys have experience playing in Italy.. Rui..Cancelo..B.Fernandes..J.Mario..A.Silva.. i think it will benefit us, definitely. In terms of the line up.. i would like to assume Santos uses the same line up as he has been using (minus Pizzi).. altho i must admit, he has played well the last few games, as much as i do not like him it is hard to knock his recent play for the NT. -------Bruma/Guedes?---------------A.Silva---------------------B.Silva ----------------------------William-----------------Sanches/Pizzi ------------------------------------------Neves ---Mario Rui------------Ruben Dias---------Jose Fonte------J.Cancelo ------------------------------------------Patricio This is my predicted line up, and if so, i think even with the absence of Pepe we have enough talent all around the pitch to walk out of Italy with atleast 1 point. Would love to hear the opinions of others? Big day tomorrow.. i am quite happy how the Nations League has worked out and brought competitive 'friendly' matches to the world.
A good test for this young squad. I personally have enjoyed them playing without CR7. I would prefer to see the 3 Silvas up front. I can foresee a difficult game. The Italians are still after the qualification for the final four and see themselves as favorites probably due to the fact that Cristiano will be missing today.
Nervy start. Neves' timing and decision-making still isn't sharp for Portugal. Italy just got two dangerous shots in a short period from a mistimed Neves tackle and a poor pass out of the box by him.
Nice attack down the right from Bernardo and Cancelo. Some possession would be nice, but there are opportunities on the counter. Cancelo won't let a cross by him right now. If only Portugal could get someone anywhere near his talent level at LB (who actually plays LB all the time for club and country)...
Just hoping to get to halftime 0-0. Gonna have to string some passes/possession together. Italy is bound to find the right pass at the right time if it stays this way throughout.
There it was, but a nice stop by Patricio. Then Neves fails to clear and Rui concedes a dangerous FK. Neves is playing very poorly. Looks nothing likenthe Wolves version of himself. Lucky, lucky, lucky on the FK. Free header just wide. Set piece defense hasn't been good lately.
Well, that was a dreadful half. The defense was organized and did its job, but Portugal is playing a 4-6 like it's Andorra. Cancello, however, is brilliant.
That was easily one of the worst halves we've ever played. Certainly the worst of the last 5 years at least. Get rid of Pizzi this is a real game not the soap opera he's used to. Neves looks lost out there. Silva is reliving his Milan career. Bernardo and Bruma totally ineffective. Cancelo trying to do too much as he sees everyone else struggle. Can't believe in saying this but we need Mario out there bad. Maybe Renato as well.
Luck on the FK headed wide, but otherwise Italy hasn't created good chances in open play. But, yeah, it takes two teams to keep a clean sheet.
They missed a wide open net after rui made a hard save. Also had a shot go just wide. They could be up 3-0 easily right now. Santos needs to make at least one change at half or within 10 mins if the same game is played after kick off.
Italy looking good, except for the finishing. As long as this finishes a draw, not that worried, this is Italy away and getting back to being the old Italy. We can then experiment a bit in the Poland game (Neves and Rui are already out). If not a draw against Poland Will do.
Eh, it wasn't exactly an open net and goals off rebounds or deflections are more about luck. I don't like the way Portugal is playing and Italy is better today, that's a certainty.