Campeonato Europeu 2020 J4 Bélgica - Portugal

This should feel like a home game in Seville.

 

Here’s hoping. 2-0 with a Ronaldo tap/penalty to break the record in 85+

 

Agreed. Portugal are very lucky to play a knock out game in Spain.That is the only positive of being in this bracket.

 

We'd have far better support in France or Germany with our immigrants. Stadium won't make a difference, heat might and we have less rest time.

Anyway, match is going to be a tough one. Speed and wing defense were our Achilles heel against Germany but hopefully the tactical changes will help. If we play like we did then we're getting slaughtered.

The good news is that hopefully Santos has seen it given the changes with France and so I'm hoping we can slow the game down a bit and exploit their own defensive issues.

 

The pitch does not look in great shape from what I seen when Spain has played

 

Semedo Dias Pepe Guerreiro
Palhinha. Sanches
Silva Moutinho Jota
Ronaldo

Lukaku worries me with our defence. Benzema was able to beat Dias the other night and he's not as quick as Lukaku.

I'd like to see Andre Silva given some more time if Jota doesn't perform. Give him at least 45 mins.

 

They played us with this that day

 

Going to be a nailbiter. Read a lot about the game and Lukaku is going to be dangerous. I would expect him to slip it past our back line at some point, hopefully not due to a penalty. But I also think their back line is going to make a mistake at some point. I would guess a 1-1 tie at half and the subs providing the edge in the second. So cautiously optimistic.

Also worried about the rest factor. I'm not sure what kind of pregame prep goes on for the players, I believe in American football there's a big meal the day before among other stuff. My point is if the routine is rushed or disrupted it could have an impact.

 

I think we should start same team as last game. Bring in Palhinha for danilo at 60 to keep up the intensity

 

Agreed, I'd be SO tempted to play Felix and push Bernardo into CM, He has insane workrate and can bring the same intensity and even better passing ability/movement Moutinho brings, but we all know Santos won't do that.

With how open Belgium play, and lack of quality defense and defensive midfield this type of match would have been perfect for Bruno Fernandes and his ability to really spread play and press...yet in his current state he probably shouldn't.

With two days less rest I would think Santos might make a couple changes to freshen things up much like he did vs Croatia in 2016, but the only one's I could see would be Nuno Mendes for Gurreiro and Felix for Moutinho with Bernardo pushed inside.

The game will rely on Danilo/Palhinha sticking to De Bruyne and not giving him any time/space much like how Adrien completely smothered Modric in 2016, it remains to be seen if they could do the same job tomorrow, I have my doubts. Dias/Pepe need to force Lukaku outwide and not be able to turn with the ball into our box.

Fullbacks really need to bomb up the field because their attacking midfielders ( Hazard, Carrasco, Mertens) will not track back....

 

Fully agree that our FB's can take advantage of Belgiums lazy wing players. Unfortunately, i see F.Santos lining up acting as some inferior team like we always do against any sort of 'big nation' and tomorrow.. we're up against the almighty number 1 ranked team in the world (what a joke that is)..

In all seriousness.. Pepe/Dias SHOULD be able to contain Lukaku.. SHOULD..

id personally leave KDB up to Renato. Renato is stronger and has more pace. If Renato really wanted to.. he could take KDB out of the game entirely.. but, it isnt upto me.

Not sure what everyone sees in this Belgium side, but i do think Portugal can take them.. but i also thought we would take out Uruguay a couple years ago too and that didnt work out well..

 

I think Felix will get in... Perfect game for him. Belgium is seeded #1.... more pressure on them, Portugal just need to keep on eye on Lukaku, one mistake... That's all it takes.

Either way I'm strangely confident, don't know why. (Get back after the game. Lol!)

 

I am worried a bit about this game. Mostly for a short rest compared to Belgium and that the Seleção have yet to hit on all cylinders since this tournament started. Could they in this game? I hope so... Even we agree or not with the FIFA rankings, Belgium is still one of the top teams and they play a very similar style to Germany. I hope this is were Portugal finally get some good chemistry going.

 

Do we know why the city isn't hosting these matches at either Sevilla's or Real Betis' stadium, but rather at a multi-purpose stadium with no permanent football tenant?

All I can think of is this stadium is on the outskirts of the city, so it's easier/safer to get in and out of. Either that or both big clubs are renovating this summer. I suppose it could also be due to both clubs being too competitive/petty to be cool with the other getting this marquee hosting gig.

 

Well, if it makes you feel better we're the best opponent Belgium has faced at this tournament but the inverse isn't true. They also were outplayed by Denmark and lucky to only trail by a goal at halftime of that match while also overperforming their xGD by like four goals over three matches. They also only broke through against Finland on a stupid (one might even say unfair) own goal late.

This Belgium team can be had, so I just hope Portugal doesn't give it too much credit. Keep a strong defensive spine early, but don't act like we have to settle for 1-0 or something.

 

Best of luck to Portugal today.

 

This article basically explains it all.
https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-euro-esp-swe-pitch-idUKKCN2DR136