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Euro 2008: Let’s help Scolari!

Choose Portugal’s midfield for Austria & Switzerland

In what has proved a tremendously popular Fanszone section, you the supporters are given the chance to discuss the national team in the build-up to the Euro 2008 tournament in June this year.

Following on from the rich debate concerning Portugal’s ideal forward line, Orlando Mac and Alberto Mourinho turn their attentions to the midfield. Do you agree with their selections? Join the debate by using the form at the bottom of the page.

by Orlando Mac

Midfield Monsters

Portuguese football has always been known for its creativity and flexible free flowing formations. In part one I presented you with the 3-1 Forward system which has Ronaldo at the centre.

Let me clarify that the 3-1 is in full attack, Ronaldo could also slide up into a classic English 4-2 as the second striker or exchange spots with either winger if he so chooses, as both Quaresma and Nani are used to exchanging roles on the fly. All this is to confuse the opposition freeing the ball carriers from double marking especially Ronaldo.

So with Ronaldo as the basis for this Midfield even though for all intents and purposes we have classified him as a Forward let’s just say he has taken over Deco’s role on the team.

This 4 pronged attack requires balance so with that in mind we need Midfielders that are adept at both sides of the ball but most importantly the defensive end considering the fire power up front. Players that would suit these roles are those who can mop up quick messes and not lose their head under pressure. This is paramount because of the Forwards and that a defender or two will overlap regularly.

The clearest choice for these roles would be Maniche, Veloso, Petit, Meira, Caneira, Deco, Fernandes, Tiago, and Meireles.

Now if you are looking for shooters from outside to force defences out of their box and keep them honest then Maniche, Petit, and Veloso would impress you.

Veloso intelligence

With the Fantastic Forward’s running around causing mayhem the best supporting Midfielder would be Veloso for his ability to get out of trouble quickly and intelligently outlay the ball to create counter pressure. Forget Petit - he’s a loose cannon who’s always a yellow card away from a suspension not to mention the gaps he creates with his tackling. Maniche too would fill this role.

Now for the defensive midfielder whose role is probably the most important on this team besides Ronaldo’s, because this free flowing system that is continually changing shape requires a strong man. Since most Portuguese midfielders have no clue about the defensive anchor capacity I’ve selected Meira for this responsibility, as he demonstrated against Finland he’s exceptional at this role which he used to play for Benfica. Add to the fact that our fullbacks usually attack makes this role even more colossal.

So my Midfield Monsters are Veloso and Meira.

Forward line: Ronaldo, Quaresma, Almeida, Nani
Midfield: Veloso, Meira

by Alberto Mourinho

Trust in youth!

Portugal can view Euro 2008 in one of two ways. They can go all out for winning it, or they can use it as a stepping stone to build an even stronger team for World Cup 2010 and following tournaments.

This is not negative thinking but just realistic. The Seleccao has brilliant young players coming through, but they may be a little too young to make an impact at this tournament – I’m thinking particularly Nani, Jose Bosingwa, Miguel Veloso and Joao Moutinho.

Nani I dealt with in the previous piece (Portugal’s attacking options) and I’ll talk about Bosingwa when discussing the defence. Today my brief is the midfield.

Having selected Ronaldo, Quaresma and Almeida up front, it leaves three positions for midfield. My threesome would be Veloso as the defensive midfielder, with Moutinho and Maniche in the centre.

Why? Veloso and Moutinho play together every week and know exactly each other’s movements. This must be taken advantage of, like the way Portugal took advantage of so many Porto players in the same team in Euro 2004. And we all saw the result.

Also I have no doubts these two players will soon be playing abroad and will become Portugal’s best midfielders over the next decade. So throw them in now I say. To balance the youth I’d pick Maniche over Deco, although it’s a close one to call.

Maniche - big tournament player

Neither player has had a very good season, but let’s face it, Maniche hasn’t done anything at club level since leaving Porto, but when he wears a Portugal shirt in big tournaments he transforms into a world-beater. He was our best player at Euro 2004 and was outstanding again at World Cup 2006.

He also gives more aggression than Deco. Deco is a more creative and a better passer, but Maniche should simply pass to Moutinho and Veloso who both know how to send the perfect throughballs to Ronaldo and Quaresma.

Some might say that Moutinho, Veloso and Maniche is a little bit lightweight for a midfield. It’s true and Ron and Quaresma will have to track back to help out defensively and not just concentrate on attack.

But with the likes of Ricardo Carvalho, Pepe and Bruno Alves, Portugal should not be intimidated physically be any team.

With the energy, enthusiasm and sheer talent of this midfield Portugal has a chance good chance of blending in the group stage, then hopefully they can surprise the stronger teams in the quarters, semis and final. And if the worse comes to the worse, Scolari would have laid the foundations for the future.

Forward line: Ronaldo, Quaresma, Almeida
Midfield: Veloso, Moutinho, Maniche

Força Portugal!



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