Portugal squad Euro 2008

I think Nani could play a big role in this squad; he's had a good year and his direct yet technical approach could be just what our midfield needs.

We'll be missing Maniche, a work-horse, and Nani could well be the spark we need to keep the tempo high; his confidence is high and he bings his own special touch to the side.

I'd like to see Ronaldo, Nani and Quaresma on the field at the same time... and personally I might play Simao ahead of Deco.

----Veloso----Meireles----

------------Simao-----------

Quaresma-----------Nani--

-------------Ronaldo--

I wouldn't play this formation myself, I've already said I don't think Ronaldo should start as a striker, but what do you guys think of such a set-up?

Simao has played the 10 for Benfica before, and Nani has put in some performances around that area of the pitch as well...

COTR wrote:You have quite a selection of midfielders to choose from there

If Phil has been watching united he will play ronaldo as the poacher to bring another midfielder in

If we're talking about central midfield, its quite a $h!t selection of midfielders

Petit

Jon Stewart™ wrote:

Calidad wrote:God I feel sorry for Andrade. Such a class act.

Nice looking squad though. Miguel has also started to play well again, so healthy competition for the RB spot.

I'm shocked that Maniche isn't there. Is a true big game player, and every team needs a Lampard type, like it or not.

he used to be more than Lampard type player then he got greedy(chased money in Russia).


TS you think Lampard is a true big game player?

Luso wrote:----Veloso----Meireles----

------------Simao-----------

Quaresma-----------Nani--

-------------Ronaldo--

I wouldn't play this formation myself, I've already said I don't think Ronaldo should start as a striker, but what do you guys think of such a set-up?

Simao has played the 10 for Benfica before, and Nani has put in some performances around that area of the pitch as well...

Deco must get the creative role he is our most creative player by a mile IMHO,Tiago has been a let down with his talent he should be in that midfield.

Luso wrote:Pro, 'even' Yannick? Do you really think so lowly of him?

Maniche is a big loss IMO, as is Caneira.

Of this squad, I think I question Nuno Gomes and Petit the most.

Not really, i don´t know him well enough to judge him well but better than Gomes and Postiga i am sure he is.

Yep pretty weak selection of dm's.

Have you notices he has more fowards/wingers than midfielders in a team that plays 443 or 442? It is an unbalaced formation, and i am being nice.

Why the hell no clubs signs this crazy manager? If it depends on Madail he will stay there for life.

Bobo Vieri 32 wrote:
If we're talking about central midfield, its quite a $h!t selection of midfielders

We might not have a world class midfield but i wouldn´t go as far as to say it is $h!t.

The big problem with Portugal is the fact that we have a $h!t lucky manager and a unbalaced team. World class wingers and very good central defenders, average wingbacks, $h!t dm's, good if in form AM's, and $h!t fowards. Of course we relly more on fantasy than in teamwork so on a good day we can beat anyone...on a bad anyone can beat us.

Of course we relly more on fantasy than in teamwork so on a good day we can beat anyone...on a bad anyone can beat us.

Agreed, Portugal seems like a hit or miss team to me. If the wingers and central defense are in form, and the other areas are just average, they could be unbeatable, but if not...they could end up losing to Croatia/Poland in the quarterfinals(assuming they win Group A, which they should)

'$h!t midfield'? Easy there..

As I've said, Petit is our wikest link in this area, but the others are far from being $h!t.

Would any of you actually call either Moutinho or Veloso $h!t players?

If so, I'd say there's really no point in going an further as our opinions on football are quite unique.

Meireles is an industrious player with a high level of commitment and good shot technique... I prefer him to Tiago who has been mentioned here.

Deco might have had an injury pleagued season, but I don't think he has much to prove as far as his career goes. I don't agree with the idea that he's our 'most creative player' but that doesn't mean I question his value.

I'd put Veloso and Meireles together and I don't think either of them are $h!t... I know Veloso has performed well in some big matches, I can think of the Porto-Sporting from the end of last season, and he's shown he can run a midfield.

As for the question of wingers/midfielders... you can't forget that many of them can play central roles if needed, as I was saying with Simao and Nani. Moutinho himself can play anywhere in the midfield... point being we have guys that can move around and still play well.

Manuel Fernandes ?

I think Fernandes is a fine player and I expected him to figure during for the National team by now... things haven't worked out for him however with his constant moving.

If Fernandes can settle-down and play at a consitent level I think we should be seeing him again; I hope we do at least as he's a class player.

Sometimes the 'big' money moves aren't always the smartest thing for a player... (he'd have made it were he to have stayed with Benfica IMO)

I can't stop looking at the girl in your Avatar Luso. I don't think I've read any of your posts since you put her up as your Display pic.

One Game, One point wrote:I can't stop looking at the girl in your Avatar Luso. I don't think I've read any of your posts since you put her up as your Display pic.

You know what I was thinking the same thing.

Luso wrote:Guarda-redes:
Ricardo (Betis, Esp)
Quim (Benfica)
Rui Patrício (Sporting)

Obvious choices, although I think that this season Eduardo (V. Setúbal) has been the best goalkeeper, and is very unlucky not to be selected.

Luso wrote:Defesas:
Bosingwa (FC Porto)
Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea, Ing)
Miguel (Valência, Esp)
Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea, Ing)
Pepe (Real Madrid, Esp)
Bruno Alves (FC Porto)
Fernando Meira (Estugarda, Ale)
Jorge Ribeiro (Boavista)

Caneira's omission the only real surprise. Personally, I would have taken him, with his adaptability we could have picked 7 instead of 8 defenders.

Luso wrote:Médios:
Miguel Veloso (Sporting)
Petit (Benfica)
Raul Meireles (FC Porto)
Deco (Barcelona)
João Moutinho (Sporting)

Not really well balanced, and, although I like Petit, it's a strange selection. We have to hope that he's over the injury problems that he's had all season, if he is, then only having played 20odd games, he should be fresh for the tourniment. I wouldn't have selected Maniche over Petit, they do a different job in the team. Those are the players I would have selected, but I would also have taken José Pedro (Os Belenenses). Another player that has had a very good season, and one that offers something different to the midfield.

Luso wrote:Avançados;
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, Ing)
Nani (Manchester United, Ing)
Quaresma (FC Porto)
Simão (Atlético Madrid, Esp)
Nuno Gomes (Benfica)
Hélder Postiga (Panathinaikos, Gre)
Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen, Ale)

The four wide players pick themselves, and, as usual there isn't a lot to pick from in the striker department.


My opinion, on the debate of where/how Ronaldo should play, is he should play as a wide man, in a 4-2-3-1 formation, as per usual. I we play him as a second striker, the midfield becomes weak, with only two players. If he's played as a striker, in a front three, we lose most of his best play.

It's disappointing not to see Andrade again though. Been very unlucky with injury's.

I think Portugal should play a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 as suggested by the tosser

Ignorant, naive tosser. wrote:

Luso wrote:Guarda-redes:
Ricardo (Betis, Esp)
Quim (Benfica)
Rui Patrício (Sporting)

Obvious choices, although I think that this season Eduardo (V. Setúbal) has been the best goalkeeper, and is very unlucky not to be selected.

Luso wrote:Defesas:
Bosingwa (FC Porto)
Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea, Ing)
Miguel (Valência, Esp)
Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea, Ing)
Pepe (Real Madrid, Esp)
Bruno Alves (FC Porto)
Fernando Meira (Estugarda, Ale)
Jorge Ribeiro (Boavista)

Caneira's omission the only real surprise. Personally, I would have taken him, with his adaptability we could have picked 7 instead of 8 defenders.

Luso wrote:Médios:
Miguel Veloso (Sporting)
Petit (Benfica)
Raul Meireles (FC Porto)
Deco (Barcelona)
João Moutinho (Sporting)

Not really well balanced, and, although I like Petit, it's a strange selection. We have to hope that he's over the injury problems that he's had all season, if he is, then only having played 20odd games, he should be fresh for the tourniment. I wouldn't have selected Maniche over Petit, they do a different job in the team. Those are the players I would have selected, but I would also have taken José Pedro (Os Belenenses). Another player that has had a very good season, and one that offers something different to the midfield.

Luso wrote:Avançados;
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, Ing)
Nani (Manchester United, Ing)
Quaresma (FC Porto)
Simão (Atlético Madrid, Esp)
Nuno Gomes (Benfica)
Hélder Postiga (Panathinaikos, Gre)
Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen, Ale)

The four wide players pick themselves, and, as usual there isn't a lot to pick from in the striker department.


My opinion, on the debate of where/how Ronaldo should play, is he should play as a wide man, in a 4-2-3-1 formation, as per usual. I we play him as a second striker, the midfield becomes weak, with only two players. If he's played as a striker, in a front three, we lose most of his best play.

Good post; I was hoping someone would put something like this forward.

PARMA! PARMA! PARMA!!! wrote:I can't stop looking at the girl in your Avatar Luso. I don't think I've read any of your posts since you put her up as your Display pic.

Undestood; I'll take her down immediately. I appologise for the distraction

Calidad wrote:It's disappointing not to see Andrade again though. Been very unlucky with injury's.

I think Portugal should play a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 as suggested by the tosser

Agreed. He's a great player and our captain...he'll be missed...yet again.

EMPortuguese wrote:

Jon Stewart wrote:

Calidad wrote:God I feel sorry for Andrade. Such a class act.

Nice looking squad though. Miguel has also started to play well again, so healthy competition for the RB spot.

I'm shocked that Maniche isn't there. Is a true big game player, and every team needs a Lampard type, like it or not.

he used to be more than Lampard type player then he got greedy(chased money in Russia).


TS you think Lampard is a true big game player?

I should've said Gerrard in hindsight.

Luso wrote:

Ignorant, naive tosser. wrote:Blah blah blah blah................................

Good post; I was hoping someone would put something like this forward.

You do know who I am, don't you?

Ignorant, naive tosser. wrote:

Luso wrote:

Ignorant, naive tosser. wrote:Blah blah blah blah................................

Good post; I was hoping someone would put something like this forward.

You do know who I am, don't you?

I know exactly who you are. You didn't think I was like you did you?
I'm actually a rational person.

Looks like Pepe won't be joining the squad until Wednesday, Real Madird has insisted that he be part of the squad that travels to Saudi Arabia for a friendly.

Scolari doesn't seem to happy about it, but admits Madrid is within the rules. That said, he reminds Madrid that Portugal has been undesrtanding with them before and that in the future it may be Portugal that uses the rules to its advantage...

Trouble between Pepe's club and now adopted country. I say drop him; we have Portuguese players staying home that could, and should, be in his place.

Ricardo the first to arive in Viseu for training...

Read just now that Scolari has made Ronaldo the official captain for Portugal. So he will captain the team at euro 2008. Think it's a bit soon myself, but will be interesting to see. Also changing his number from 17 to 7.

L.r.d wrote:Read just now that Scolari has made Ronaldo the official captain for Portugal. So he will captain the team at euro 2008. Think it's a bit soon myself, but will be interesting to see. Also changing his number from 17 to 7.

The number change is a logical step. Figo gone, Ronaldo the next in line

Captaincy... I agree w/you. Portugal has lost all the charismatic figures (Couto, Figo, R Costa, Pauleta..) and it should really be given to someone older and wiser. Sure, CR may be the best player in the world right now, but he is definitely not captain material yet 9specialy in a squad where the age group is rather low)

Ricardo should be the captain. (seeing that Scolari will defo pick him in front of anyone else...)

lampiao007 wrote:

L.r.d wrote:Read just now that Scolari has made Ronaldo the official captain for Portugal. So he will captain the team at euro 2008. Think it's a bit soon myself, but will be interesting to see. Also changing his number from 17 to 7.

The number change is a logical step. Figo gone, Ronaldo the next in line

Captaincy... I agree w/you. Portugal has lost all the charismatic figures (Couto, Figo, R Costa, Pauleta..) and it should really be given to someone older and wiser. Sure, CR may be the best player in the world right now, but he is definitely not captain material yet 9specialy in a squad where the age group is rather low)

Ricardo should be the captain. (seeing that Scolari will defo pick him in front of anyone else...)

Simao should be captain if he is a starter at the beginning of the tournament but i don't expect it to stay like that as the tournament progress. But Ronaldo should be our captain and oh yeah has it been confirmed he will wear number seven?

Luso wrote:Looks like Pepe won't be joining the squad until Wednesday, Real Madird has insisted that he be part of the squad that travels to Saudi Arabia for a friendly.

Scolari doesn't seem to happy about it, but admits Madrid is within the rules. That said, he reminds Madrid that Portugal has been undesrtanding with them before and that in the future it may be Portugal that uses the rules to its advantage...

Trouble between Pepe's club and now adopted country. I say drop him; we have Portuguese players staying home that could, and should, be in his place.

Ricardo the first to arive in Viseu for training...

Drop Pepe for who possibly?

What do people in Portugal expect from this Euro? Expectations must be pretty high after some very good results these years. And with Ronaldo playing like he did this year great things could happen for you. Each time we played against you it was really difficult. The only thing you lack a little is a good striker, like Pauleta 6 years ago. You have great midfield players and defenders but unfortunately no world class striker. Maybe Scolari will give him a similar position he has a t Man utd. This could be very good for you.
I think this might be your year, it's about the time for Portugal to win something.

Alive and Kicking wrote:What do people in Portugal expect from this Euro? Expectations must be pretty high after some very good results these years. And with Ronaldo playing like he did this year great things could happen for you. Each time we played against you it was really difficult. The only thing you lack a little is a good striker, like Pauleta 6 years ago. You have great midfield players and defenders but unfortunately no world class striker. Maybe Scolari will give him a similar position he has a t Man utd. This could be very good for you.
I think this might be your year, it's about the time for Portugal to win something.

Portugal havn't played well in a long time. Not only do they lack a striker, they lack a top quality LB too. They have great depth in certain positions, and none at all in others. Any midfield with Petit in it is not great. I think Ronaldo will be burnt out aswell. They do have a good team chemistry there which could get them far.

Ricardo or Simão as captains? Yuk, both are arrogant bastards who thing they are much better than the rest, and they have Scolari protection no matter how bad they are.
Agree that Ronaldo is too young and doesn´t have the maturity or the personality to be captain.

Thing is it is not all about age, it is about the way they act, think and how cool they behave in pressure moments. If they burn out or flame the situation.

At the moment, and giving the selection of the team, Petit is a good choice(i hate the guy but he has captaincy material). Ricardo Carvalho would be a good choice too (probably the best as he comes from a big club, is sucesseful and has a strong personality and that counts a lot in the mind of the players). We have several good players but they are not very strong mentaly or are too young.

As for what we expect, appart from the usual hype we are getting in the media, i think if we perform as bad as we have been playing in the last year it will be pretty bad. We are always optimist though and relly a lot on the inspiration of the stars to decide the matches. That is also our downfall as our opponents found that out a long time ago.

Why the hell no one signs Scolari

One thing I've been meaning to ask for a while now is whether Fernando Meira is as prone to outbursts/sending offs in the national team as he is in the league and how he's seen by the Portuguese fans in general.

Cheers!

Carvalho would be my choice too.