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Euro 2008: Let’s help Scolari!

Choose Portugal’s attack for Austria & Switzerland

To open our new Fanszone section we will be focussing on the national team in the build-up to the Euro 2008 tournament in June this year.

Luiz Felipe Scolari has been busy rebuilding the side since World Cup 2006. Over the coming weeks, PortuGOAL will give fans the chance to examine the Brazilian’s options and (attempt to) arrive at conclusions to guarantee a Portugal team ready to take on allcomers in Switzerland and Austria.

To start with we’ll be concentrating on the forward line. Below Orlando Mac and Alberto Mourinho give their views on which players to pick. Do you agree? Join the debate by using the form at the bottom of the page.

by Orlando Mac

Freaking fantastic forwards:
Unleash a four-pronged attack

I descended from two men that in ancient times defended Portuguese honour by chopping down the door of a Castelo, which the Moors had seized, to help free our people. They were nicknamed the Machado Brothers so bear with me as I might have to chop down a few doors for your entertainment.

I being one of Scolari’s harshest critics actually feel that he is headed into his strongest area. He is a tournament boss and one of the most important ones lies ahead, not since Eusebio or the Golden Generation who stalked their prey has there been such a talented set of forwards. I believe this crop is by far the most talented group ever assembled by the “Selecção das Quinas.”

Spoilt for choice we can pick from a group of forwards that could start for almost any squad on the planet.

So to help Scolari (before he starts throwing punches), the kind folks at PortuGoal thought we could help him build a winning squad.

Almeida up to the task

First the striker and with a 33% strike rate for Portugal we lumber that task on Almeida (8 gls Werder Bremen). Let’s just hope he gets some service, our front men have been known to go hungry often.

As for the next line of attack Portugal is blessed (with a creative bunch that roves) from side to side, so why not ratchet up the confusion with 3 floating forwards in a 3-1 formation.

Up the middle I feel Ronaldo (30 gls ManU) could create havoc either supporting the striker or moving up to strike alongside Almeida or exchanging with the wing to stretch the defence with a tantalizing run. He would be our maestro.

On his left I would put Nani (3 gls ManU, he crosses the best of the three) to help feed Cristiano and Almeida down the middle.

On the right contrary to what most might think I would play Quaresma (5 gls Porto), his play of late has been better than his usual performances for “as Quinas.” Now if he could get one cross to its actual destination or hit the target with more than just 1 out of 30, I would be impressed.

This formation I believe is the most formidable and with strong leadership they will light up the tournament and strike the fear of our forefathers into the hearts of every defender in their wake.

by Alberto Mourinho

Ronaldo-Quaresma-Almeida:
The dream ticket

People talk about it being difficult for Scolari to choose out of Ronaldo, Quaresma, Nani and Simao for Portugal and who should be the main striker. Some say the Brazilian has a hard job. I disagree.

Football is a simple game and the answer is simple. Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world and one that every other country would like to have, period. His best position is as a winger. So let’s forget these ludicrous ideas of playing the best winger in the world out of position as a striker. No. Ronaldo is a winger and must be left there to terrorise defences.

The second winger has to be Quaresma. In terms of pure skill, the Porto winger is a match for Ronaldo, maybe having even more tricks. Having less of an explosion and less speed he relies more on his amazing skills. So having the two wingers with different styles will cause different problems for the opposition defenders. They can also both switch wings easily during a game, which will also help to confuse defenders.

Nani is very similar to Ronaldo, while Simao has never played great for the national team.

Striker a must

As for the striker debate, we all know that Portugal has struggled to produce good strikers over the years. But with the ammunition supplied from Ronaldo and Quaresma it would be a crime not to include an out-and-out striker. I still believe Almeida can be the long-term solution for Portugal. He needs to be given a run in the team to learn when to make his runs and get full benefit from the service of the wingers.

Simao and Nani are great options to bring on as substitutes for Ronaldo & Quaresma if the match is already won or if they start to get tired or get injured. In an emergency, Ronaldo can be moved into the middle to back up Almeida and Simao or Nani should be brought on the field and take off a defender or defensive midfielder.

This I truly believe will bring success to the national team. And I am not blinded by my club loyalty to Benfica. I shall always support Simao and Gomes who did great things for my club in the past. But I recognise they cannot be in the national team right now. I’m a Portugal fan first, a Benfiquista second. Please give feedback!


Would you like to contribute with an opinion article? If so please send it (400 words max) to fanszone@portugoal.net.
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