Portugal is set to play France in a thrilling encounter. Roberto Martinez’s side has had a fair run throughout the Euros winning two games and losing one in the group stages.
Their first game saw them struggling to win Czech with an impressive late-minute comeback. The 2nd game against Turkey was a bit better. They were able to edge the Turkish team easily, as they scored 3 goals without a response from Turkey.
Their round of 16 however was another struggle for Portugal as they managed to edge Slovenia on Penalties. The game had created several uproars over their aging Skipper Cristiano Ronaldo who missed a penalty during the game. Next up is France and it’ll be a bigger hurdle for them.
France will also be hoping for a dream revenge against Portugal. The latter had won the trophy in 2016 after defeating them in the finals. Moreover, Didier Deschamps’s side has also been unimpressive in the tournament. They’ve somehow managed their way through into the quarterfinals.
Team Portugal
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Portugal will be facing the toughest opponents they’ve encountered so far in the Euros. The game will be a very challenging one for Portugal. However, his team has sufficient quality to deliver positive results. The likes of Bruno Fernandes, and Bernado Silva are qualities that could hurt the French team.
Portugal’s iconic star Cristiano Ronaldo is a factor to also consider. Although there are been claims of him having lost his quality. Yet he is no force to be ignored. Despite his mistakes in their last game. Undermining the 39-year-old icon could be very detrimental.
Roberto Martinez will be hoping that Ronaldo will find his old moment of brilliance and influence the team’s success.
Roberto Martinez on the Game
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Coach Roberto Martinez had a lot to say before the epic clash between Portugal and France on Friday. He said:
Tomorrow is not a game between Ronaldo and Mbappe, they are two incredible and influential players in the world sport and this will continue. Ronaldo influenced Mbappe and Mbappe influenced others… France is not just Mbappe, some players can attack space which is a very strong aspect, and we need to limit that. They can defend with many and make room for counterattacks.
We have to make a very complete game, but there is no individual plan because France is full of great players. We can promise that we will give everything that the players are focused on playing in this great game of Portuguese football.
Team France
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Didier Deschamp’s side has been on the struggle in the Euros. Their First game saw them manage a 1-0 win over Austria thanks to an own goal. They faced a difficult Netherlands side, and they managed to scale away with a draw. Their last game against Poland was also a struggle as they couldn’t go away with a win against the Polish team.
The round of 16 wasn’t any better as they also managed another late-minute own-goal winner against Belgium. Thanks, Maignan who had been spectacular in the goal to deny Kevin De Bruyne, Doku, and the likes.
France Coach Didier Deschamps will be asking for something better from his team against Portugal.
The French team is known to possess young and experienced qualities enough to harm the Portuguese team. Deschamps will be hoping the likes of Mbappe, Kante, Griezmann, and co can step up. Despite their below-par run of performance, he hopes they deliver positive results for them.
Deschamp on the game
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Deschamp stated:
At the start of the tournament, Portugal was one of the favorites and they’re a team with a legitimate right with regard to their ambition to be European champions.”
The match is going to be a power struggle. It’s as simple as that. The Portuguese team can keep possession of the ball and likes to attack rather than defend. So it will be a power struggle.
We saw the Netherlands when they played against us were a lot more cautious than they tend to be. The same can be said about Belgium. So maybe Portugal will also have the same attitude.
I know their coach Roberto Martinez likes to shake up his formation; sometimes it’s three at the back, and sometimes he throws in that extra defender. If you have any inside information you can share, I’m all ears.
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