Portugal Superstars

Manager:  Paulo Bento
Captain:  Cristiano Ronaldo
Star Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Bio: So should I talk about Cristiano Ronaldo or not. Lets he is going to be the main talking point in Portugal this summer and I wouldn’t expect it any other way but this is not a one hit wonder team. If CR7 doesn’t show up Portugal could still go quite far. This team includes Nani, Raul Meireles, Joao Moutinho, Miguel Veloso, Pepe and Fabio Coentrao. This is a good team. The problem Portugal have had in the passed is they created loads of wingers Nani, Ronaldo and Quaresma are still in the squad but didn’t make any “Strikers” meaning Ronaldo had to play up front and be a focus point at the centre of the park. This limited the Damage that he could offer by not being able to drop deep and pick up the ball and run with it and that is one of the things that he does better than anybody in the world. This is no longer a problem I expect that they will either start with Porto’s Silvestre Varela or Besiktas striker Hugo Almeida and maybe put in the highly rated 20 year old Nelson Oliveira who may not score many goals but reports in Portugal are that this kid is blooming good. Guess we will see. This side is getting on a little bit. They are not the young Portugal squad that was coming though a little while ago. Nani is 25, Ronaldo is 27, Meireles is 29 and so is Pepe.

Portugal have taken the quite unusual step of including a 29 year old midfielder Custodio who has never played for the National side before. Im not saying don’t take inexperienced players (at this level) but most uncapped players named at tournaments are younger usually under 21. From what I know of the guy he is a decent Defensive midfielder but I think it’s a risk taken a bloke like that. They also include 25 year old Miguel Lopes who is also uncapped but he is a right back who may not even play. But this was over former Chelsea Right back Jose Bosingwa who is out of contract but is fit so im surprised that the more experienced player didn’t get the call.

Expect Portugal to try and attack teams. For me they will be going into the last game against Holland with a Win and Defeat against Denmark and Germany. This would mean a hell of a game between 2 teams who love to attack. Im looking forward to seeing this game. I want to watch the whole group its going to be fantastic because as I said before I expect Denmark to not get over run even in a tough group so im very excited about this group.