Saturday, 9th of June 2012 The Portuguese squad , led by the best European player in CRISTIANO Ronaldo dos Santos aveiro Opens its euro 2012 campaign against the mighty force of Germany and the Fourth Reich. As Germany takes control of Europe politically and economically it seeks to do so in football as well. Standing in its way in the first game is glorious nation of Portugal. A dark cloud hangs over the Portuguese; tough economic conditions exist at home and the squad is winless in 2012. Captain CRISTIANO Ronaldo continues to be an enigma on the International level and few are expecting him to suddenly do anything . There are injuries concern over nani who has been a key player . Many are predicting the worst for Portugal, but It is in these moments , against overwhelming adversity when portugall glory seems to shine brightest . They were written off in 1984 and 2000 but still had good tournaments . Many said they would be eaten alive by sea monsters when the portugues explorers of the xvi century embarked on their voyage. Portugal must do what it has been doing for all of its history: and silence the haters At the end of the day even if we lose , we are still victorious and righteous. We are Portuguese and that makes us better looking , more fresh and gq then any of the other euro trash swashbuckling around epic euro trash territory in pololand and Ukraine Let's do what we do best and troll Europe , Forca Portugal U mad bro?
Fixed. Not gonna expect much, but if we do get out of the group I'll run down the streets of Toronto naked.
Still wondering what to do about our worst flaw: Veloso in DM. Meireles is a stronger player and has done well in that position before for us (with Moutinho - Carlos Martins in front of him) and for Chelsea (notably good job holding back Messi in CL). I know that everyone (including Bento) has said that Hugo Viana is "not a good fit" but it's still a shame we didn't try that shape at some point during the qualies - Meireles, Moutinho and Viana. I know it won't happen (Viana is probably a replacement if Moutinho gets injured/carded) but at this point anything is an improvement over Veloso and starting a complete newbie (Custodio) in a big tournament is a big gamble.
Not sure what is the bigger risk. Starting a complete newbie in a big tournament against maybe the strongest team in the tournament or keeping things as they are now. Meireles has not had a good year for Chelsea and has come off the bench a lot. Bruno Alves has been on the bench and is very rusty. Coentrao has not played much for Real and even when he did was not always at the LB position. Thanks Mourinho. Then there is Veloso...... Im concerned big time
The concern with Coentrao is not if he is going to play "ok" or not. The concern is that we need him to be at the level of play he was when playing for Benfica. He is no where near that at the moment. Not his fault. Had he been able to play more this year, he would be not only at that level but even better. There are certain players on our team that we need to be key contributors for us to be successful. I classify Coentrao as one of those.
100% shitting my pants with those two playing. Rather have Custodio playing. Alves has been terrible.
For all the talk from Portugal that the Turkey result doesn't mean anything, etc., I think the team would be well served to take the pitch Saturday fully aware that if it doesn't play with a huge chip on its shoulder the end result could be an embarrassing, demoralizing defeat. I really hope the squad embraces its current underdog status. That seems to be the point of view that leads to Portugal's best tournament performances, even if its only for one match. Honestly, I'm not worried about whether or not Portugal will make it out of the group or make a deep run. I just want Portugal to provide one really memorable moment, and a victory over Germany would certainly be memorable as well as tremendously satisfying.
History shows that usually when Portugal faces Germany there is alot of goals.... Euro 2000 Por 3 -0 Ger WC Por 1 - 3 Ger Euro 2012 Por 2 - 3 Ger I honestly want us to go far but in reality there is no chance. Im expecting a German victory of 3-1 or even 4-1.
Critics don't think Portugal has what it takes to beat the Germas. Personally, they have nothing to lose, let's be honest... no one is giving as a F**king chance to win. Any team can win it. Just play your game.
Only 20 percent believe Portugal will pass the group Phase....German newspapers talking shit and saying "Portugal doesn't have what it takes" LETS BEAT THEM!!!!
This is perfect for the Portuguese mentality, this will offend the players egos. This will get them fired up, hopefully Pepe doesnt get sent off.
Thats my main fear as well, Pepe and Bruno Alves have short fuses and we can't afford to have them even pick up a yellow here, then one versus Denmark, but they'd miss the game against the Dutch. Joao Periera is also a red card waiting to happen.... Veloso isn't defensively talented, mobile, or positionally sound enough to cover the back four so Portugal need to be cautious in holding a high line and how much Periera/Coentrao overlap to attack, no one will cover them. Bruno Alves cannot be isolated one v one against their attacking midfielders as well, or he'll get torched. Hopefully Germany go with one of their targetmen(Gomez/Klose) and not Podolksi/Shurlle up front, as it would play to Bruno the caveman Alves' strengths more.
I don't know what to expect from you guys tbh. But the quality is definitely there and for a team no one is tipping to make it out of the group you have to enjoy playing the underdog role. I think many are reading too much into the Turkey game. Portugal dominated the match and created many chances and all 3 goals conceded were off terrible defensive mistakes that can be corrected. Usually Portugal lack the true poacher up front to finish off the passes from their great wingers and central mids as well as a keeper. Well the keeper part seems to be solved despite a poor showing vs the Turks I rate Rui Patricio and Eduardo as solid keepers. Aside from that the midfield and defense are strong as usual and maybe a draw vs Germany can leave them only needing a draw in the final group game vs the Dutch.
So according to Z's post we're the Rebels and Germany is the Empire? His intro sounded like the start of a Star Wars movie
Lukas Podolski has acknowledged that Cristiano Ronaldo is "one of the best in the world", but insists the Portugal star will not prevent Germany from opening their assault on Euro 2012 with a 2-0 victory in Lviv on Saturday evening. The Real Madrid forward has spoken this week of his faith in his country's chances of emerging from the Group B, which also features Netherlands and Denmark, and is confident that the Seleccao can upset Die Mannschaft. However, Podolski has dismissed Portugal's hopes of springing a surprise, claiming that Germany know just how to contain the Iberians' principal attacking threat. "What Ronaldo is planning for Saturday is not important," the Arsenal-bound attacker told Bild. "He is one of the best in the world, but we have done well in recent games against Portugal. We'll disturb him aggressively, entangle him with tough tackling. "One thing is clear: we have enough players with great potential. Germany will win 2-0 against Portugal!" Germany's eagerly-awaited meeting with Paulo Bento's men is scheduled to get under way at 20:45CET on June 9. Use it as motivation boys...
We cannot go in there afraid... go for goal. A tie would be nice but let's shock them. Tactics mean everything. Look what Chelsea did to Bayern. Played sold defense and relied on experience.
I don't think we're strong enough in D to play how Chelsea played vs. Bayern. That was anti-football, something we excelled at under Queiroz, with Carvalho in his prime at Pepe at DM.
Anti-football? Defense is part of the game. Getting tired of that statement. I wish we pulled a Greece back 2004 instead of our pass, pass, cross to lone striker.
im not worried about this game. Almeida is a proven goalscorer in Germany over 40 goals at Bremen in 90 apps and against the dutch i hear they wanna put Schaars a CDM that plays at Sporting LMAO as a LB oh man can you see him against Ronaldo or Nani or Varela and Quaresma with overlapping runs from Pereira and Coenntrao and the Germans have Friedrich as a rb and lamn as a lb althought he is a great lb he in 5'7'' and against our taller backs we just have to expose their weakness its denmark that i am weary about but even when they beat us at alavade we still looked a lot lot lot better