Portugal (Group A)
Squad | Scouting Report | Road to Euro 2008 | Euro History
| Squad | ||
| Player | Position | Club |
| Ricardo Pereira | Goalkeeper | Real Betis (Spain) |
| Quim Silva | Goalkeeper | Benfica |
| Rui Patricio | Goalkeeper | Sporting Lisbon |
| Miguel Monteiro | Defender | Valencia (Spain) |
| Jose Bosingwa | Defender | Chelsea (England) |
| Paulo Ferreira | Defender | Chelsea (England) |
| Ricardo Carvalho | Defender | Chelsea (England) |
| Fernando Meira | Defender | VfB Stuttgart (Germany) |
| Bruno Alves | Defender | FC Porto |
| Pepe | Defender | Real Madrid (Spain) |
| Jorge Ribeiro | Defender | Boavista |
| Raul Meireles | Midfielder | FC Porto |
| Joao Moutinho | Midfielder | Sporting Lisbon |
| Deco | Midfielder | FC Barcelona (Spain) |
| Armando Petit | Midfielder | Benfica |
| Miguel Veloso | Midfielder | Sporting Lisbon |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Midfielder | Manchester United (England) |
| Nani | Midfielder | Manchester United (England) |
| Simao Sabrosa | Forward | Atletico Madrid (Spain) |
| Ricardo Quaresma | Forward | FC Porto |
| Nuno Gomes | Forward | Benfica |
| Hugo Almeida | Forward | Werder Bremen (Germany) |
| Helder Postiga | Forward | Panathinaikos (Greece) |
| Head Coach: | Luiz Felipe Scolari | |
Scouting Report
Style of play: Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has experimented with several formations, but his favourite setup is an attacking 4-2-3-1 lineup. Scolari has instilled pragmatism and defensive muscle in the side, anchored by the strong Ricardo Carvalho in the centre of defence. The left and right fullbacks, Miguel Monteiro and Jose Bosingwa, are encouraged by Scolari to move forward on the wings in support of the attack. The back four are protected by two central defensive midfielders, Miguel Veloso and Fernando Meira, who act as the link between defence and the attackers. In front of them is the dynamic attacking midfield trio of Deco (in the middle), Ricardo Quaresma (on the left) and Cristiano Ronaldo (on the right), who are the team's creators. They play straight across the middle, but are given licence to roam and switch positions as they move forward in attack and try to deliver the ball to the feet of the lone striker, Hugo Almeida.
Probable starting formation (4-2-3-1): (GK) Ricardo - (D) Miguel, Pepe, Carvalho, Bosingwa - (M) Veloso, Meira – (M) Ronaldo , Deco, Quaresma (F) Almeida
Strengths
Midfield – Even without Maniche (curiously left off the squad), Portugal has a wealth of talented midfielders. Cristiano Ronaldo and Ricardo Quaresma possess world-class speed and scoring ability, (as do Nani and Simao Sabrosa), while Armando Petit and Joao Moutinho provide the grit, power and strength.
been known to employ a 4-3-3, a 5-4-1 and a 3-4-3, depending on the situation and the players available. This level of tactical flexibility means Portugal is not tied to one system, giving the team a decided advantage over their opponents.
Confidence – After a long history of underachievement, Portugal has established itself as a legitimate world soccer power following strong showings in recent major tournaments: Euro 2000 (semifinals), Euro 2004 (finalists) and the 2006 World Cup (semifinals). The Portuguese are playing with an air of confidence, realizing they are ready to break through and win a major competition after coming so close before.
Weaknesses
Lack of quality forwards – For all of its depth in midfield, Portugal still lacks a world-class striker. The team's best forward, Hugo Almeida, is coming off a strong season for German club Werder Bremen, but the 24-year-old lacks national team experience and only scored two goals in the qualifiers.
Inconsistency – Portugal looked far from impressive in the qualifiers, tying six of their 14 games, and struggled against such lightweights as Armenia, Finland and Kazakhstan. Portugal has a track record of only turning it on for big games and taking lesser opponents for granted. They can't afford such a dangerous attitude, or be slow off the mark, in a difficult first-round group that includes the Czech Republic, Turkey and Poland (who beat Portugal for first place in their qualifying group).
The Deco factor – Deco was instrumental in Portugal's strong showings at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup, but the FC Barcelona star has looked lacklustre this season for both his club and country. Scolari doesn't have another playmaker who can take Deco's place at the centre of midfield, so Portugal will be in big trouble unless the Brazilian-born Deco rediscovers himself.
Players to watch
Ricardo Carvalho – A tough, talented battler, Carvalho cuts an imposing figure in central defence. The Chelsea defender is excellent in the air when covering high crosses into the box, he's a tough tackler and marker, and is an attacking threat when he makes his penetrating runs up field. The anchor of the Portuguese defence.
Cristiano Ronaldo – What more can be said about the best player in the world? The Portuguese winger scored 42 goals in all competitions for Manchester United this season, helping the Red Devils win the English Premiership and Champions League. With his blinding speed, amazing control, and maze-like dribbling skills, Ronaldo is a threat to score every time he has the ball at his feet.
Ricardo Quaresma – Overshadowed by Ronaldo, the FC Porto star is nonetheless a player of exceptional skill. Speed, dribbling skills and the ability to take defender on one-on-one, Quaresma is one of the most exciting and entertaining players to watch. He's also versatile, as he can play on either wing or as a forward.
Key injuries/sqaud omissions: Industrious midfielder Maniche was a surprise omission by Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. The former Porto and Benfica midfielder Maniche played in the Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup 2006, and was a regular starter in Portugal's qualifying campaign. Another surprise omission was experienced defender Marco Caneira of Valencia. Both Maniche and Caneira could have easily started for Portugal at Euro, so their exclusions from the team were a major surprise.
Road to Euro 2008
1st round matches:
June 7 vs. Turkey (Geneva)
June 11 vs. Czech Republic (Geneva)
June 15 vs. Switzerland (Basel)
Euro 2008 qualification route
Finished second in qualifying Group 1 (27 points) behind first-place Poland (28 points).
Record in qualifying: 7 wins, 6 draws, 1 loss
Goals for: 24
Goals against: 10
Top goal-scorer in qualifying: Cristiano Ronaldo (8)
Qualifying results:
09.06.2006: Portugal 1 - Finland 1
10.07.2006: Portugal 3 - Azerbaijan 0
10.11.2006: Portugal 1 - Poland 2
11.15.2006: Portugal 3 - Kazakhstan 0
03.24.2007: Portugal 4 - Belgium 0
03.28.2007: Portugal 1 - Serbia 1
06.02.2007: Portugal 2 - Belgium 1
08.22.2007: Portugal 1 - Armenia 1
09.08.2007: Portugal 2 - Poland 2
09.12.2007: Portugal 1 - Serbia 1
10.13.2007: Portugal 2 - Azerbaijan 0
10.17.2007: Portugal 2 - Kazakhstan 1
11.17.2007: Portugal 1 - Armenia 0
11.21.2007: Portugal 0 - Finland 0
Euro History
Number of Previous Euro Appearances: 4
All-time record: 19 GP - 11 W, 3 T, 5 L
Goals for: 27
Goals against: 6
Most appearances: Luis Figo (14)
Most goals: Nuno Gomes (5)
Biggest win: 3-0 vs. Croatia in 1996
Biggest loss: 1-2 vs. Greece in 2004
Euro Results:
1960 to 1980 – did not qualify
1984 - semifinals
1988 - did not qualify
1992 - did not qualify
1996 - quarter-finals
2000 - semifinals
2004 - runners-up
Legends from the past
Eusebio: Eusebio da Silva Ferreira joined Portuguese powerhouse Benfica as a 19-year-old in 1961 and quickly became one of the best players in the world. He scored nine goals in the 1966 World Cup, finishing as the tournament's top scorer and helping Portugal to a third-place finish. Considered one of soccer's greatest stars of all time.
Paulo Futre: A two-time Portuguese player of the year (1986 and 1987), Futre led FC Porto to victory in the 1987 European Cup (now Champions League) over Bayern Munich. Played 41 times for Portugal from 1983-95, including the 1986 World Cup. A series of knee injuries cut his career short.