Courtesy: Bolavip
Portugal is a strange case going into the 2020 European Championships. The squad has unbelievable individual talent with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias and Joao Felix included in the squad. But a few warm-up matches in preparation for the Euros have shown a lack of tactical inflexibility in performances.
Portugal squad Euro 2020
Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Olympique Lyon), Rui Patricio (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC), Rui Silva (Granada CF)
Defenders: Joao Cancelo (Manchester City), Nelson Semedo (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC), Jose Fonte (LOSC Lille), Pepe (FC Porto), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Nuno Mendes (Sporting CP), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund)
Midfielders: Danilo Pereira (PSG), Joao Palhinha (Sporting CP), Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United FC), Joao Moutinho (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC), Renato Sanches (LOSC Lille), Sergio Oliveira (FC Porto), William Carvalho (Real Betis Bolompie)
Forwards: Pedro Goncalves (Sporting CP), Andre Silva (Eintracht Frankfurt), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City FC), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus FC), Diogo Jota (Liverpool FC), Goncalo Guedes (Valencia CF), Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid), Rafa Silva (SL Benfica)
Weakness:
Under Fernando Santos, Portugal looks tactically inept despite an array of attacking options at their disposal. They have some of the most in-form players at the Euros but the trick is to take advantage of all their talent.
Santos has been criticised for tactical inflexibility after lacklustre performances by his side in warm-up friendlies. Portugal has been drawn in the ‘Group of Death’ consisting of a formidable Germany, dark horses Hungary and current world champions France.
Key Players:
Cristiano Ronaldo: As always, Ronaldo remains Portugal’s main man for the Euros. At club level, Juventus haven’t had the most ideal season but Ronaldo has still managed to remain Serie A top scorer. Ronaldo has guided Portugal to Euro glory in 2016, it remains to be seen if he can repeat this monumental task yet again.
Bruno Fernandes: The attacking midfielder has given a completely new look to Manchester United since he arrived at the English club. In 37 appearances for the club, he has scored 18 goals and racked up 11 assists. If he shows the same form for Portugal, both Bruno and Ronaldo could form a deadly partnership to terrorise the European nation’s defences.