I can still remember the last time we beat them on German soil, 0-1 World Cup qualifying 1985 the win took us to Mexico 86 Cracking goal from Carlos Manuel long range lob over Schumacher, the 1st time Germany lost a home qualifying game
It's been 21 years since we've beaten Germany. The same tourney that made them change their entire system and brought them much success at every age group. If there was a time where we would have the team to win and for Germany to be in a low spell out would be now. But losing to France gives Germany more incentive plus they are at home. It's going to be really tough, I hope for at least a draw but I hope we play to win.
Renato Sanches has to start or play here. Nobody else in the midfield offers what he does. He's a great all arounder, which I usually don't like unless they have a lot of agression like he does. He may not have the best decision making all the time. But the energy he leaves on the field helps prevent the rest of the team from playing lazy. Fernandes and Bernardo don't mesh well, they're stepping on eachother's toes really. They have to sort it out or only one of them can play. Jota had a poor game but I won't be upset if he starts again. But Andre Silva is too good to not be played here. Rui Patricio Semedo Pepe Dias Guerreiro Danilo Palhinha Sanches Fernandes Jota or Andre Silva Ronaldo
For some reason thought that France was the next match. Would love to see a Silva Swap, Bernardo just isn''t on form at the moment. Either him or forum-villain J.Felix coming in. Rafa did ok too, I guess. Danilo-William pair wasn''t justified for Hungary, but for Germany and France I'd keep them.
It's been 21 years, or the last 4 matches. Losing 4 consecutive matches doesn't sound nearly as dramatic as saying 21 years, so let's go with 21 years for the added theatrics.
It would be nice to break this Germany curse. We finally beat France in 2016, maybe it's time Germany suffers a defeat against us. We certainly have the talent to play them head on. With that being said, i dont think FS will have the balls to play like that against Germany though. I expect us to sit back and defend. The gameplan Saturday will be to capitalize on the counter attack.
Interesting how Rudiger is not getting banned for this. Imagine it was a Portuguese player who bit an opponent
Germany is weaker than in 2014, for sure, but stronger than in 2018. Also, Germany will be playing home, so that is a major factor. Playing against the hosting side has a proven record to be tricky e.g. Korea in 2002, Russia in 2018. Although Portugal's current squad is probably the best it's ever been, I have some concerns about how well this group of players can cope with Germany's physical type of play. Playing both Danilo and William Carvalho or Palhinha could make sense this time.
I love Ranato but I would not start him against Germany. I would have him come in to the game in the second half when he is facing more tired opponents. We can not afford counter attacks against this German team. While they are not what they used to be, they continue to be a nation that scores well on their opportunities especially on set plays. I would not mind starting the game with the line up we had in our first game but with a short leash on Jota (if he is not on his game again. thats three strait games he has not done well for us) I would like to see in the second half ( if needed of course) Palhinha, Sanches and Pote
Im predicting this will be the lineup semedo dias pepe guerreiro Danilo William Sanches Bernardo Ronaldo Bruno/jota
I think FS is going for a draw with the aim of winning it late into the game 1-0 if we can. There is no way we are going to risk losing our goal differential by attacking Germany and exposing ourselves. This is the type of game FS specializes in so if we get anything less than a draw, it will be very disappointing. I think being in a group with France and Germany will prepare us very well for the knockout stages. Now that i think of it, i don't think i'd rather be in any other group.
Renato is too inconsistent but can be an excellent sub at the right time in important games, Jota I also think Will start as he was in many dangerous situations (which he killed off) this time around he Will have less chances which he needs to exploit more. Pote is a unknown and should be used, coming off the bench, at the right time. Feel for A. Silva after the year he has had, but he Will probably keep on being a sub atleast for the next two games.
Imo Germany are very beatable this time around, our boys as a collective are much better a win over germany would be huge for us. imagine the confidence. a win over germany to me would mean we could go on to win the bastard all the way Lets ********in go boys
I'm having an unsteady feeling about this match. It has that aura of Euro 2008 where Germany came into the match seemingly vulnerable and in transition, whereas Portugal were deemed possibly the favourites who could take advantadge of that. The Germans targeted our weaknesses (space behind the fullbacks with Petit because a slow D-mid, Pigman running vs Paulo Ferriera, and Ricardo in the air)...subsequently blitzing us in the first 30 minutes. You know they're going to do everything in their power to exploit Nelson Semedo defensively after half of them witnessed Davies eviscerate him, plus try and run in the space Gurreiro leaves behind when he bombs up the field. Can 38 year old Pepe cover them? Danilo & William? Will they be able to insulate the fullbacks and disrupt Gundagan/Kimmich/Kroos? I'm expecting the same line up or worse, Moutinho or Sanches in a midfield 3 with Bernardo or Jota benched. We have the offensive quality to go toe to toe with Germany and really press that unbalanced midfield ( look at the space they gave France) and that sluggish backline. We need to give them a threat to worry about and not allow them to come at us in waves...that's asking for so much trouble. Ultimately, we all know Santos will play it very conservatively..the meme of 4 D-mids might actually occur
Nuno Mendes and Joao Felix are both unavailable today w/ lingering muscle issues. I was really hoping Nuno would see the pitch.
Same starting XI Rui Patrício, Nélson Semedo, Pepe, Rúben Dias, Raphaël Guerreiro, Danilo, Wiliam Carvalho, Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Jota, Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo.