The Eurocup is back for Portugal and the Czech Republic who will star in the first match of Group F, with both being the favorites to advance to the next round of the tournament. Roberto Martínez, Portugal coach, will experience his first match in a European Championship from the Portuguese bench. For this reason and after having been preparing weeks ago for the competition, which is based in Germany, the Spanish-born coach has decided on this eleven in Portugal’s first match in the Euro Cup.
BY: Diogo Costa – The Porto goalkeeper will be the one who stands between the posts in the Portuguese goal. His good season with Porto and his performances in friendlies prior to the Euro Cup have made him transmit confidence and defend his country’s shirt from the goal.
L.I.: Joao Cancelo – The full-back loaned by Manchester City to FC Barcelona is a permanent part of a left-back that already bears his name in the Portuguese national team. Cancelo will show what he is capable of and will be a key player for the football that Roberto Martínez’s team proposes on the left wing.
DFC: Pepe – Experience, forcefulness, solidity and seniority, this is how you could describe a Pepe who seems to be like good wine, with each passing year he plays better in defense. Pepe will play his fifth European Championship and will be key to organizing a defense alongside Ruben Dias.
DFC: Ruben Dias– The Manchester City center back will form an ideal centre-back pairing with Pepe. Together they will be that Portuguese wall that will prevent any forward from a rival team from passing through. His ball delivery and finishing ability in the air gives Portugal a “plus” in both attack and defense.
L.D.: Nuno Mendes– Nuno Mendes is the ideal profile to occupy the right back in Portuga
l. Fast and very physical, he will be helped by the center backs in defense and will help the left winger in attack. His ability to overflow and reach the area will make it difficult for rivals to defend the Portuguese attack.
MC: Palhinha and Vitinha – The Fulham and Paris Saint Germain midfielders will focus on controlling the game that leads the Portuguese team to glory. All the balls must pass through them first and between Palhinha and Vitinha they form a duo of high technical quality to filter numerous passes to decisive forwards like Cristiano Ronaldo.
MCO: Bruno Fernandes – A fundamental pillar in “Bob” Martínez’s team. Essential in attack and also in the distribution of the game so that Portugal does not find itself stagnant and subdued by its rival’s tactical system.
EI: Bernard Silva – The Manchester City winger will be key on the left wing, who with the back help of Joao Cancelo, will be able to feel comfortable moving to a position more between the lines instead of being more on the wing.
ED: Rafael Leao – After some great performances in friendlies and throughout the season with AC Milan, Rafael Leao is a candidate to be the starting right winger. His speed and ease of reaching the rival area make him one of the key players in Portugal for this Euro Cup.
D.C.: Cristiano Ronaldo – With a national team behind him at 39 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo will be that leading man who will act as a goal-making machine. This specialty makes him one of the best footballers in the world, someone who has marked an era and who will want to continue marking it in this European Championship with Portugal.
What Portugal’s formation (4-3-3) would look like
Goalie: Diogo Costa
Defenses: Joao Cancelo, Pepe, Rubén Dias and Nuno Mendes
Midfielders: Palhinha, Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes
Forwards: Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leao and Cristiano Ronaldo
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