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Euro 2008: Let’s help Scolari!

Choose Portugal’s defence 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.

Just days before Luiz Felipe Scolari makes the official announcement of his squad for Austria and Switzerland, we want to hear your opinions. The discussion has now moved onto the goalkeeper and defence. Read the views of our resident fans Orlando Mac and Alberto Mourinho and join in using the form below.


Related: Let’s help Scolari! Portugal’s attack
Related: Let’s help Scolari! Portugal’s midfield

by Orlando Mac

The Dynamite Defence

In our last installment, we discussed the Monster Midfield, which would add steel to the belly of our beast. Key to that was Meira as a Defensive Midfielder. In this segment we discuss our Dynamite Defense.

In the center to provide an impenetrable wall where the opposition will frustrate themselves trying to break, I see Carvalho and Pepe, both players who are quick and exceptional in the air. With our cavaliers at the forefront rampaging and pillaging opposition defenses, there is a need for stay at home defenders who are quick to counter formidable foes. Even with injuries this center-back role has been solidified with as many as six quality CB’s.

Now to move to the more contentious area our Fullbacks. This for me was always a misnomer, because the best FB’s are only Halfbacks, only home half of the time. Here I have chosen the two most talented players even though they are both Right-backs.

Miguel and Bosingwa are both exceptional and on their day could both take turns marauding down the wings and causing fits to opposing defenders. Miguel also has the uncanny speed to make mistakes and recover amazingly, making 3 stabs at a tackle and succeeding on the third. Very few defenders can accomplish that feat.

Rampaging wingbacks

I have Miguel on the left and Bosingwa on the right. With both taking turns rampaging. This is why Meira is so important because with him always being back this will give us the coverage to defend as our forwards ravage the foreign opposition.

Anyone that suggests Caneira should be laughed at since he is a Neverback, and possesses the speed of a fat turtle. Ferreira unfortunately is mistake prone and coughs up some tasty treats to opposing teams, so should be left out. Jorge Ribeiro on the other hand is a great crosser so I fancy seeing some action out of him.

Now to complete this Defence you need a Goalkeeper. This is definitely our weakest link, so I suggest Ricardo because of his tournament record and experience, he is brutal at crosses and is another reason for Meira’s inclusion as that will give us three solid aerial players in the middle to prevent his flapping errors.

This concludes the Dynamite Defence who will be like a demolition crew to all opposition. Similar to the Alps they should prove to be a mountain too high to climb this summer.

Goalkeeper: Ricardo
Defence: Bosingwa, Carvalho, Pepe, Miguel
Midfield: Veloso, Meira
Forwards: Ronaldo, Quaresma, Almeida, Nani

by Alberto Mourinho

Balance between solid defence and exciting attack

I constructed my ideal defensive line-up to give Portugal a solid base and at the same time attacking flair from the back to take the team to glory in Austria and Switzerland.

Let’s take it one player at a time. Make no mistake, I’m a big fan of Ricardo and believe he was a big reason behind Portugal’s success in the last two tournaments. He played a huge part with his penalty heroics and did not put a foot (or hand!) wrong at Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006, but just because he done it in the past don’t mean he’ll do it in the present.

Quim has been outstanding this season for Benfica (I should know – I’m a Benfica fan and can tell you he had a lot of practice!). Ricardo is not even in the first team of a Spanish club struggling to stay in La Liga so he cannot be Portugal’s number one. Quim’s time has come.

As for right-back, Bosingwa has to be the choice, although Portugal has very good options here. Miguel is a superb player, but at this moment Bosingwa is better – simple as that. His energy is incredible. He manages to be a brilliant aid to the attack but also a solid defender. Miguel is also strong going forward but I believe not as good as Bosingwa at defending and not as much endless running.

World-class trio

Ricardo Carvalho is another player who cannot be argued with. With Cristiano Ronaldo and Bosingwa I believe these are the three players who are genuinely world class and would play in any other national team in the world.

I chose Alves over Pepe because he has had a superb season. Pepe is also a great player, but gives away too many fouls and gets yellow and red cards too easily. Against some of the best attackers in the world that’s too dangerous. Alves used to have this problem too but he only got one yellow card all season for Porto.

Finally, Portugal’s problem position which is left-back. Again I think Scolari should pick the player in form and that is Jorge Ribeiro. He will be full of confidence after having such a good season at Boavista and earning a move back to Benfica. Also, like Bosingwa, he can be a big help going forward and has a lethal shot from long range.

To sum up my three articles I believe this team has a good chance of bringing glory to Portugal:

Goalkeeper: Quim
Defence: Bosingwa, Carvalho, Bruno Alves, Jorge Ribeiro
Midfield: Veloso, Moutinho, Maniche
Forwards: Ronaldo, Quaresma, Almeida

Força Portugal!



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