Paulo Bento is announcing the Euro squad in less than 24 hours, here are the players I predict he'll choose: GK Patricio(Sporting) Eduardo(Benfica) Beto(Porto-on loan at Cluj) Defenders Pepe(Real Madrid) Bruno Alves(Zenit) Rolando(Porto) Ricardo Costa(Valencia) Joao Periera(Sporting) Fabio Coentrao(Real Madrid) Silvio(Atletico Madrid) Midfield Miguel Veloso(Genoa) Raul Meireles(Chelsea) Manuel Fernandes(Beskitas) Joao Moutinho(Porto) Carlos Martins(Benfica- on loan at Granada) Hugo Viana(Braga) Forwards Cristiano Ronaldo(Real Madrid) Nani(Manchester United) Ricardo Quaresma(Beskitas) Vieirinha(Wolfsburg) Helder Postiga(Zaragoza) Hugo Almeida(Beskitas) Nelson Oliveira(Benfica) Silvio can play both R/L fullback, and Veloso can cover on the left with Ricardo Costa providing extra coverage on the right(..or not..) That will be PB's selection.. I would swap Ricardo Costa with Daniel Carrico/Manuel Da Costa...the rest is pretty much decent. It's tough to call, for the first time in a while there isn't a clear cut 23 that will obviously be chosen. Helder Barbosa and Varela are very realistic options in attack, as is Ruben Miceal(God forbid) in midfield in place of Fernandes/Viana... Even a young player like Nuno Reis can make a surprise appearance as the 4th CB. Nelson could be chosen as a reserve RB... There are 4/5 positions definitely up in the air.
I believe Silvio & Vieriniha are injured. I predict Nelson OR Miguel Lopes in Silvio's place, and Varela in the place of Vieriniha. I think Micael will make it over Viana too, but I'm 100% on board with the rest of your selections.
I think that Area 51's list is pretty accurate but I also agree with you PortoDragons. Silvio hasn't played since March, so I doubt he will be called tomorrow. I think Bento will go with Nelson. Miguel Lopes is a dark horse but I think Nelson will get the call. Varela has been starting regularly in recent weeks, he had 2 assists yesterday for Porto. I think he will get called. And Bento loves Ruben Micael, he'll be on the squad at the expense of Viana....in my opinion. Just want to mention that Helder Postiga saved Real Zaragoza from relegation today. Winning a penalty, and then scoring a golazo in the second half. http://www.tvgolo.com/futebol.php?subaction=showfull&id=1336949090&archive=&start_from=&ucat=41&
Micael over Viana would be absolutely scandalous My starting eleven -----------------Patrício --------Rolando-------Alves Pereira----------------------Coentrão --------Viana------Moutinho -------------Fernandes Nani------------------------C.Ronaldo --------------Oliveira
*Horror images of the Denmark away game comes to mind* Portugal is a Pepe injury away from becoming comical in defense... Wish PB could set aside his issues with Carvalho and Bosingwa to include them in the squad for depth...with how little of it Portugal possesses PB can't afford to just throw away players like that... What Carvalho did was childish and a spur of the moment spontaneous outburst of emotion..but he still has a place on the bench to come on and secure results. Rolando hasnt been good at all for porto lately, he was even benched for a while
Yah, completely forgot Silvio has been out, Nelson it is. As for Postiga, he has what, 10 goals this season? Honestly, in a poor team with little support, thats not shameful at all..especially looking at the quality of some of the goals he scored. Decent season for him. Vieirinha is fit though, played every game for Wolfsburg since March. Two of Quaresma/Vieirinha/Varela/Helder Barbosa will go....probably Varela/Quaresma.
I'm a diehard tripeiro but no way Rolando deserves a spot. He can't even crack the Porto team. Only players in form deserve the call
i know he played a a few weeks ago...but he has not seen much action this season after recovering from injury in the fall. mourinho still claims he has a lot to give, that he's not the young carvalho anymore, but he's also not a player in the twilight of his career. I\d rather have his experience and football IQ than Rolando. Just pray both Pepe-Bruno Alves stay healthy
Wait.. Where is Pepe? Seriously? Viana--Moutinho--Fernandes is too offensive. Veloso & Meireles need to be in the XI, and will be. Oliveira up front would be awesome but is just wishful thinking, especially in the first game vs. Germany. It will be Postiga
-----------------------Patricio-------------------------------- -------------Pepe-------------Caveman Thug---------------- Joao "troll" Periera-------------------------------------Coentraown ------------------------Meireles---------------------------------- -----------Fernandes/Viana-------Moutinho-------------------- Nani--------------------------------------------------------Ronaldo -------------------------Postiga--------------------------------------- Here's hoping Coentrao can rediscover is blistering pace and offensive flair which seemed to disappear this season at Ronaldo Madrid.
An article in Abola says 20:00, lisbon time....so 3pm EST, I believe. http://www.abola.pt/nnh/ver.aspx?id=331165 http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/notic...-direto-paulo-bento-selecao/1348153-1191.html
You're right. I snubbed Pepe on purpose. That indeed was wishful thinking. He will, however, partner Alves and rightly so. As it has been said, a shame Carvalho turned momentarily into a spoilt 19 year old. Viana, Moutinho and Fernandes are three intelligent footballers and each can, especially Moutinho, play a more defensive role without urges to get forward. We don't have a world-class trinco, nor anything even resembling one, so we might as well use the skill to read the game and pass interception ability, and passing ability too, these three players all have. Plus, we're in a desperate need of creativity, and that's where Viana and Fernandes come in. You could swap Viana with Meireles but, personally, I really wanted some old school pinpoint 60-meter-passes flank switching played to both Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo.
I would take: GK: Rui Patrício, Quim, Beto DF: João Pereira, Nélson/Sílvio, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Rolando, Fábio Coentrão MF: Miguel Veloso, Raul Meireles, João Moutinho, Hugo Viana, Carlos Martins, André Martins, Paulo Machado FW: Ronaldo, Nani, Quaresma, Nelson Oliveira, Hélder Postiga, Hugo Almeida
here is my attempt at the 23; Patricio Eduardo Quim Pepe Alves Coentrao JP Rolando - would love to leave him at home Carrico - can be used at CB, or Defensive Mid (offers versatility they need at both spots) Nelson - to cover LB Miguel Lopes - to cover RB Meireles Moutinho Veloso Fernandes Viana Martins Ronaldo Nani Postiga Almeida Oliveira Varela I think ultimately Micael will take Viana's spot, but i think Viana deserves the call up.. Quaresma is useless, and Varela has picked up the pace the past few weeks.. Oliveira offers versatility as striker/winger should injury arise... the CB spots will be the undoing of this team. Who really thinks Pepe and Alves will be able to keep there cool, and provide solid play and leadership the entire way?? .. i wish i could say i believed it.. Forca Portugal
I might be wrong but I don't recall Bruno Alves or Pepe ever pulling any thug stunts for Portugal. They have been pretty solid.
you have a point, and i wasnt referring neccessarily to "thug stunts", but Portugal is super thin at CB, and cant afford to lose Pepe or Alves to cards or injury, and considering there aggressive style of play, that will be a challenge for both of them.. thats what i meant (should have been more clear)
If the Portugal vs Holland game will be anything like 2006, expect Pepe and/or Bruno Alves to not only be red carded but face a couple of years suspensions and possible criminal charges
One of the craziest games I've ever seen! Boy that sure was something to watch. Going to be tough to cover Van Persie. What a season he's had.
I hear this guy's well rested: Give him the 23rd spot on the roster and see if he can beat the Dutch again!
hahahah I'd rather have him than Custodio, just him lining up to shoot might make the Dutch defenders and keeper shake in fear Look at Ronaldo, he was 19 at the time
Watching the press conference on RTP... Miguel Lopes and Custodio are the surprises. Manuel Fernandes is left off as well as Viana.