Pre-match: Portugal vs. Sweden 2010 World Cup Qualifier 28/03/09

vs Sweden I'd like to see the following formation.

Miguel - Meira - Alves - ? (Duda)
Ronaldo - Pepe - Maniche - Simao
Danny
Gomes​

We have to get the full 3 points, especially with no Ibra for Sweden.

 

There isn't a better player to pay homage to before the biggest Qualifier in Portugal's history, because we need GOALS!

 

Ah how Ironic this will be.

 

Honestly our current NT team, couldn't beat beat Luxembourg, 6-0 or 5-0.
So don't take any credit away from Pauleta, he's a proven player, and not only on the NT. Still better then anybody we have, just like Figo.

 

There you go with the typical Moutinho bashing. The kid eventhough I can agree his shooting has lot to be desired, he's a great position player, a great passer, and great at recovering. This is why IMO he should be a DM, and not a number 10. But the kid can play.

 

Of course I want Carvalho if he's healthy. He didnt play again today.
Bosingwa is playing amazing, yes....but thats just for Chelsea.

 

Quaresma looks alot sharper under Guus, he seems to be very hungry as well
alot of our player are coming into form eg Fernandes, Mendes. Tiago, Simao etc which should hold us in good stead with this game fast approaching.

I do believe that CQ has brought some very good signs to the NT, the Denamrk game was ours but we fell alseep at the last, that why we are backtracking now, but its pretty simple now beat sweden or start booking holidays somewhere other thatn South Africa. Ibra is a big loss and i dont see Sweden coming at us at all to be honest, from their perspective a draw would be amazing and really put pressure on portugal. So with that said attack must be on the minds of CQ and pacy full backs and CM will be key to nullify the swift counter. Alves should be looked a as an option, the Swedes will look to really maximise the set piece scenarios. With all that being said this would be my lineup, but CQ wont have the balls to do it.

----------------------------------Fernandes-------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Pepe-----------Carvalho-----------Alves-----------------Bosingwa------------------------------------------------------------Duda
----------------------------Maniche------Mendes--------------------------
-------------------Ronaldo---------------------------Simao----------------------------------------------------Danny---------------------------------

Fernades for his great heaight and ability in dealing with set pieces
3 centre back because all three have the ability move forward and join the attack but also defend quick breaks. I like the quality of crosses both bosingwa and duda get in, with three CB it will give them more freedom but also will mean they will track back on counters. It would allow Ronaldo to get more central when we are camped in the oppositions half which we all know will happen in this game. Mendes is amazing and so underated he should be starting and the captain of this side IMO. With this side we would overwhelm Sweden every single player is quality and play th style of fottbal needed to break teams down.

 

What?!?! Were it not for Aguero's terrible finishing (3 one-on-ones -> 0 goals), Simao would have finished with 3 assists on that game. And he tracked back. He was running on fumes but he still played his a$$ off. This against a Real Madrid with 10 straight wins and at the Bernabeu.

Also, for those of you quoting "Goal.com" ratings... you've got to be kidding. Those ratings are awful...

 

He was also the one who released the ball to Aguero to start the break as well. Simao has been playing well for Atletico, I think I want him on the wing come Sweden game time.

 

Hes always that, never a liability, never a moment of Brilliance, at least for the NT.

 

SA scored which can only boost his confidence.

 

I like that lineup except for Danny. I think playing Danny as a sole striker is an experiment and I'd rather not experiment in such an important game. I'd rather see him as an early sub for Deco. Deco needs fire under his a$$ to play well - he's already a 2nd choice at Chelsea; having Danny biting at the chomp to replace him might actually motivate Deco to play like he did long ago with Porto and recently (Euro's - when he _needed_ a new contract).

As far as Simao, if he is healthy, I'm 100% sure he'll start. He's experienced, he's having a great season and he delivers a far better dead-ball than Deco. Quaresma, to everyone's astonishment, has add a good start at Chelsea. If his confidence continues to improve, he might be the guy who subs in for Simao. Who knew?! Certainly Nani has had a mediocre year and his latest game was horrible (I hope he was sick).

So, who to put up top? It's got to be Almeida. He may not be the most talented FW but he's the only one who's actually a starter on his current team. Send him a few decent crosses and then sub him out at ~60-70 minutes - either for Nuno or - a gamble - Sa.

 

Queiroz escolhe 38 jogadores para Suécia e África do Sul

O seleccionador nacional, Carlos Queiroz, pré-convocou 38 jogadores para o embate frente à Suécia no próximo dia 28, no Estádio do Dragão, jogo a contar para a qualificação do Mundial de 2010 e para o particular frente à África do Sul na Suíça.

Destaque para o regresso de Ricardo e a chamada do guarda-redes do Leixões, Beto.

Lista dos 38 pré-convocados

Guarda-redes:

Hilário (Chelsea),
Beto (Leixões),
Ricardo (Bétis),
Eduardo (Sp. Braga),
Rui Patrício (Sporting),
Daniel Fernandes (Bochum).

Defesas:

Gonçalo Brandão (Siena),
Bosingwa (Chelsea),
Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea),
José Gonçalves (Nuremberga),
Bruno Alves (FC Porto),
Rolando (FC Porto),
Fernando Meira (Galatasaray),
Nélson (Bétis),
Pepe (Real Madrid),
Miguel (Valência),
André Marques (V. Setúbal).

Médios:

Maniche (At. Madrid),
Deco (Chelsea),
Raúl Meireles (FC Porto),
Danny (Zenit),
Tiago (Juventus),
Duda (Málaga),
Nani (Man. United),
Pedro Mendes (Glasgow Rangers),
Rúben Amorim (Benfica),
João Moutinho (Sporting),
Manuel Fernandes (Valência).

Avançados:

Edinho (AEK),
Simão Sabrosa (At. Madrid),
Varela (E. Amadora),
Ricardo Quaresma (Chelsea),
Eliseu (Málaga),
Cristiano Ronaldo (Man United),
Orlando Sá (Sp. Braga),
Nuno Gomes (Benfica),
Hélder Postiga (Sporting),
Hugo Almeida (Werder Breman).

Take your pick guys. Best lineup/formation...