SQUAD PROFILE: Portugal

[bluejock]

Manager - Paulo Bento (heeheeheeheehee)

Squad

Goalkeepers - Eduardo (SL Benfica), Rui Patrício (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Beto (CFR 1907 Cluj)

Defenders - João Pereira (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Fábio Coentrão (Real Madrid CF), Bruno Alves (FC Zenit St Petersburg), Rolando (FC Porto), Ricardo Costa (Valencia CF), Pepe (Real Madrid CF), Miguel Lopes (SC Braga)

Midfielders - Raúl Meireles (Chelsea FC), Miguel Veloso (Genoa CFC), João Moutinho (FC Porto), Rúben Micael (Real Zaragoza), Hugo Viana (SC Braga), Custódio (SC Braga) Nani (Manchester United FC)

Forwards - Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid CF), Hugo Almeida (Beşiktaş JK), Ricardo Quaresma (Beşiktaş JK), Silvestre Varela (FC Porto), Hélder Postiga (Real Zaragoza), Nélson Oliveira (SL Benfica)

Portugal line up for this summer's feast of football with a lot less expectation on them than in recent tournaments. Previously heavily fancied to do big things, they have, perhaps, flattered to deceive.

Qualifying saw Portugal finish runners up in their group to Denmark, despite having equal number of points and a better goals scored statistic. However, there were no worries in the play offs as the easily dispatched Bosnia and Herzegovina 6-2 on aggregate.

The Portuguese squad still looks strong on paper with Real Madrid's Fábio Coentrão and uber-snide Pepe in defence, the scrotum faced Nani and sh*t haired Raul Meireles in midfield and the world's most expensive footballer Cristiano Ronaldo (no, I won't call him CR7 you weirdos) leading the line.

Jock's player to watch would normally have been the aforementioned Winker, but, as a treat for Goat, I'm tipping one time Everton target (FFS KENWRONG YOU MASSIVE MELT) João Moutinho to shine, and he'll have to be in top form given the group Portugal find themselves in.

Prediction

Past form in major finals shows no cause for optimism and given the strength of Germany and Holland, I can only see Portugal finishing third in their group, ahead of Denmark.

 

[Allezfan]

I actually fancy Portugal more than most, if I'm honest. As ever they lack an actual striker but there's no shortage of quality there and they were every bit a match of spain and brazil at the world cup.

And given that their past form in recent major finals includes appearances in two semis and a final, it wouldn't shock me if they had enough to beat one of the two big guns in that group. There's certainly signs that the manager is beginning to get it together. Mind much like Denmark I think they'd walk England's or Croatia's groups but that group is rock hard.

I might have a sneaky bet on them getting to the final actually.

 

[EFCNIK]

Jock go to work mate.
























x

 

[EFCNIK]

Jesus christ Cristiano is fit isnt he.

And why do they have a million forwards...

 

[Del]

Jesus christ Cristiano is fit isnt he.

He has a meffy haircut like you lad

 

[ijjysmith]

Lol...Hugo Viana

 

[EFCNIK]

He has a meffy haircut like you lad

True dat, true dat.

 

[CahillsCornerFlag]

Little surprised to not see Danny in there, thought he'd get in the squad. Looks like they wont be leaving the group stage, anyway.

 

[Allezfan]

Lol...Hugo Viana

Brought in last minute due to injuries and will never get off the bench. Mind he's done well at Braga after his career had seemingly entirely collapsed so you never know.

 

[bluejock]

Jock go to work mate.
























x

I'm off mate, waiting on a job coming up.

 

[EFCNIK]

I'm off mate, waiting on a job coming up.

Was only joking dude. Ace write ups. Keep em coming!

 

[bluejock]

Was only joking dude. Ace write ups. Keep em coming!

I'll try and do some more after

 

[Jamo Martinez]

Moutinho is the only one I like so come on Holland and Germany

 

[johnnydawg68]

Not a bad squad that.

 

[EFCNIK]

Swear Postiga will always get in despite (I thought) not being any good.