Team: PORTUGAL

[Oliver_Kahn]

Originally Posted by The Rule

Everyone is going to be expecting him to be the player of the tournament. EVERYONE. From fans, to his team-mates, to the opposition. Portugal have had a history of relying too much on a form player. Figo or Rui Costa for the best part of a decade, and now Ronaldo. If Ronaldo had just finished an average season for United he's be coming in under far less pressure. He could have kept a low profile and hoped teams keyed their defenses to cope with Queresma and Simao and Deco, which would have allowed him to fly under the radar and possibly cause devastation.

Thats actually a pretty good point, expectations are very high for Ronaldo, it will be tough for him to fulfill them.

Originally Posted by The Rule

Ronaldo performs brilliantly when the pressure is off and he can use his tricks and find space and get his shots in. But when the pressure his on, his track record speaks for itself, very poor.

I won't get into the big game bottler discussion, because I haven't watched enough Man Utd matches to agree or disagree with your statement, but one thing is for sure, Ronaldo is yet to have a brilliant performance for the NT, against a top team.

Originally Posted by The Rule

As for the five captain thing, that's ridiculous. Ollie, who are the other 4 captains along with Ronaldo?

It's Nuno Gomes, who is number 1; then Petit, Simão and Carvalho.

[verde-rubro]

opposing teams will all be trying to stop Ronald and for get about our other threats

[jec1]

You should never discount Portugal or any team for that matter. Expect the unexpected. I believe every team is ready for that elusive trophy.... Talk is cheap when it comes down the games, the 6 game tourney is all about Pride & Motivation.

I expect Portugal to play well but I think ronaldo is tired out, so Q-Boy has to pick up the pieces but is he ready for the challenge?

GERMANY VS SPAIN in the finals

[Trim]

Portugal have passed their general test ahead of the Euro 2008.

Portugal 2 - 0 Georgia

19' [1 - 0] J. Moutinho
45' [2 - 0] Simao (pen.)

[Daniel24]

It seems as if our defense is improving while we still have a problem in our striker area. Ever since the Eusebio era Portugal haven't really had a good forward. That is what they lack.

Quim

Bosingwa----------Ricardo Carvalho------------ Meira-------------Pepe---------

Miguel Veloso

Deco

Cristiano Ronaldo-------- Simão--------Quaresma

Nuno Gomes

Kinda fucked up lineup but thats how I would play. I think thats an ideal lineup and is worth a try..

[Vargas_4]

You guys have enough creative players to set up the goals. I think they'll come in handy here.

[Robinho4Ever]

Originally Posted by Daniel24

It seems as if our defense is improving while we still have a problem in our striker area. Ever since the Eusebio era Portugal haven't really had a good forward. That is what they lack.

Quim

Bosingwa----------Ricardo Carvalho------------ Meira-------------Pepe---------

Miguel Veloso

Deco

Cristiano Ronaldo-------- Simão--------Quaresma

Nuno Gomes

Kinda fucked up lineup but thats how I would play. I think thats an ideal lineup and is worth a try..

Pepe as a LB ??
He can't handle the ball well in order to dribble and make crosses, it's a very wrong decision to put him in that position..

[BlackNess]

Originally Posted by Robinho4Ever

Pepe as a LB ??
He can't handle the ball well in order to dribble and make crosses, it's a very wrong decision to put him in that position..

It's better than bench, both Meira and Caravalho are better .

[Robinho4Ever]

Originally Posted by BlackNess

It's better than bench, both Meira and Caravalho are better .

Meira ??
Dude, Pepe is one of the best CB's in the world !! Meira .... pfffff

[Oliver_Kahn]

Originally Posted by BlackNess

It's better than bench, both Meira and Caravalho are better .

Meira??? You're having a laugh mate.

Meira is a better DM than CB, that says it all.. Then you have Pepe and Bruno Alves who are amongst the top best CB's in the world.

[Daniel24]

Originally Posted by Vargas_4

You guys have enough creative players to set up the goals. I think they'll come in handy here.

We always seem to choke and miss easy goals in big matches...

Originally Posted by Robinho4Ever

Pepe as a LB ??
He can't handle the ball well in order to dribble and make crosses, it's a very wrong decision to put him in that position..

I would rather have Pepe at LB then have Meira..

Originally Posted by BlackNess

It's better than bench, both Meira and Caravalho are better .

Meira is better at CB then LB lets just say that..

Originally Posted by Robinho4Ever

Meira ??
Dude, Pepe is one of the best CB's in the world !! Meira .... pfffff

Pepe is not one of the best in the world. I think that is going too far. He is getting there but not even close...

Originally Posted by Oliver_Kahn

Meira??? You're having a laugh mate.
Meira is a better DM than CB, that says it all.. Then you have Pepe and Bruno Alves who are amongst the top best CB's in the world.

Pepe and Bruno Alves? Amongst the top? Not yet my friend. I still think Alves has a while to go before he gets to the top of the best in the world but Pepe is near.

[Dellas]

Any chance of Paulo starting at Lb...if it is such a problematic area??

[Daniel24]

Originally Posted by Dellas

Any chance of Paulo starting at Lb...if it is such a problematic area??

I wouldn't like him there...Im not too much of a fan of Paulo.. He just isn't my player.

[Dellas]

Originally Posted by Daniel24

I wouldn't like him there...Im not too much of a fan of Paulo.. He just isn't my player.

fair enough...it is just that I know that he has played there before for both Chelsea and Portugal and if you guys don't have a gd Lb he is solid enough to fill in...

[z187]

Most likely Paulo Ferreira will be playing at LB.