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Saturday, 09 June 2012 20:19 |
Portugal 0-1 Germany: Player Ratings
Coentrão and Veloso the standouts for Bento's men
 Portugal managed to contain Germany for almost 75 minutes, but fell in Lviv tonight thanks to a perfectly-placed header from Mario Gómez. Ben Shave delivers his verdict on the thirteen players fielded by Paulo Bento.
Rui Patrício
Performed as required on a largely quiet evening. Confident in his handling of set pieces, appeared harrassed on occasion when asked to distribute quickly. Hard to fault his positioning for the goal: Gómez placed his header in the one area that left Patrício with no chance of making the save.
PortuGOAL rating: 6
Bruno Alves
More conservative in his forward movement than partner Pepe, Alves was unable to pose any great threat at set pieces (usually one of his more notable attributes) until the dying moments. Struggled to find his passing radar early.
PortuGOAL rating: 5
Pepe
For 72 minutes Pepe was Portugal's outstanding performer. Imperious in the tackle at the back, and the player who came closest to scoring shortly before half time, the Real Madrid man was well on course for a man of the match display. However, he was caught in no-mans land for the goal, leaving the diminutive João Pereira alone to contest Schweinsteiger's ball in.
PortuGOAL rating: 6
João Pereira
The Valencia-bound full back was a couple of notches below his industrious best, though he did provide bundles of energy and a number of useful balls forward for Nani to chase. As mentioned above he was left alone to deal with Gómez for the goal, and can hardly be blamed for his pronounced disadvantage in the air.
PortuGOAL rating: 5
Fábio Coentrão
Played a central role for the Selecção at both ends of the pitch, and benefited from being on the opposite flank to Philipp Lahm, his nemesis at club level. Managed to stretch Jérôme Boateng on a number of occasions, and embodied the battling nature of the performance. Visibly frustrated towards the end, but managed to keep his temper in check. Booked.
PortuGOAL rating: 7
Miguel Veloso
After attracting widespread criticism for his unsteady performance against Turkey last weekend, Veloso barely put a foot wrong this evening. Reliable short passes and adept positioning fully justified his selection, after speculation that Custódio would be drafted in. Might have marked tighter in the lead-up to the goal, but a largely good display, particularly in his marginalisation of Özil. Booked harshly.
PortuGOAL rating: 7
Raúl Meireles
Not the most effective of outings from Meireles, although he played his part in stifling Germany's midfield play during the first 45 minutes. His set-piece delivery was also much improved.
PortuGOAL rating: 5
João Moutinho
A defence-splitting pass to tee up Ronaldo provided Moutinho's outstanding moment, as the Porto man delivered a typically dynamic 90 minutes. Although much of Portugal's play flowed through the wide areas Moutinho still managed to exert an influence on proceedings. Like Meireles, his dead-ball deliveries gave Germany a number of tense moments.
PortuGOAL rating: 7
Nani
Grew into the game after a quiet first half, and by the end had the beating of his marker Lahm. A cross-shot almost opened the scoring for the Selecção, but that was more luck than judgement. Nani continues to frustrate at times but is undoubtedly Portugal's pre-eminent wide man after Ronaldo. Showed encouraging willingness to run at opponents.
PortuGOAL rating: 6
Cristiano Ronaldo
As ever, Ronaldo was tireless in his efforts, and alongside Coentrão appeared the most frustrated of Portugal's personnel. Bamboozled the German back line with a series of first half stepovers, and was also able to produce a number of wicked deliveries, despite generally having to cope with two markers. Tested Neuer with a fierce strike late on, and his contest with Lahm was a compelling one.
PortuGOAL rating: 7
Hélder Postiga
Postiga delivered a committed performance before being withdrawn for the final 20 minutes, but the Zaragoza man was left isolated at times, allowing the game to pass him by. With Nani and Ronaldo flanking him Postiga will never be the focal point of Portugal's attack, but Hugo Almeida might have posed more of a set-piece threat.
PortuGOAL rating: 5
Nélson Oliveira (Played 20 minutes)
Tipped to be Paulo Bento's super-sub, the Benfica youngster showed his worth shortly after arriving when he did superbly in holding the ball up before squaring for Varela.
Silvestre Varela (Played 10 minutes)
Directed his one real chance straight at Neuer with the side of his foot, when perhaps a fiercer attempt was in order.
Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments.
Ben Shave
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I never said he was the most efficient or the best in the world, just that he is a threat from dead-ball situations...which he is.
Lenny Figo - I think thats the point, we dont have any other options. Almeida has failed time and time again, and Postiga works hard but doesnt seem to accomplish much. So throw in Nelson, and see if he can change things up.
Putting in Oliveira adds a certain element of uncertainty and unpredictabililty. We all know what the other 2 bring, maybe Nelson can bring us something different....I think along with his natural ability, that is what others and myself mean.
To call him one dimensional is actually one of the most misinformed things I've ever heard. How can you call a player that can score from distance, from free kicks, from up close, with his head, both feet, and provide double digit assists in one season a one dimensional player? The Ronaldo from 2004-2005 was one dimensional, yes, but the Ronaldo of 2011-2012 is the most complete footballer on the planet. The statistics prove it.
In the past two seasons hes finished with 16 assists in total...a good number considering he apparently has no passing ability and poor decision making.
When Ronaldo gets the ball, everyone puts him under the magnifying glass. Few people realize the wastefulness around him and merely focus on him.
I suggest the critics watch a game or two, more than just one match vs one of the top 3 teams in the world, and perhaps the most tactically disciplined. He has steadily improved since he came to United as a teenager. He doesn't need to "fake out three defenders" when he can score from outside the box. And to Tony, CA, there are many videos of him doing exactly that over the past several years, its not difficult to find.
If Portugal does manage to achieve something this summer, it will be because of him. He is far and away our most highly prized, and highly criticized asset.
Forca Portugal, Forca Ronaldo
Joao Moutinho is actually an excellent player, but unlike Costa or Deco, he's an energetic, deep-lying playmaker, rather than an attacking midfielder. He has an exceptional football IQ, and if you watched him closely, you'll have noticed that his tireless work off the ball prevented Germany from getting into any sort of rhythm.
When Moutinho has the ball, he likes to dictate the play from deep. He has an exceptional first touch, and he is a very accurate passer. He may not always make the "killer pass" as often as Rui Costa or Deco, but he frequently makes the pass that sets up the assist. Also, unlike Costa and Deco, he doesn't have the dribbling ability to really thrive behind the striker.
Moutinho is at his best when he has the support of both a defensive and attacking midfielder. Meireles is more of a box-to-box midfielder, so both of them have fairly similar responsibilities. Currently, the only player we have who can play as an attacking midfielder is Nani. Danny would be a fantastic option, but he's injured. Manuel Fernandes could also excel in this position, but he wan't called up.
please bento should get Meireles out of the field. cause moutinho will sure do what meireles would have to do and he will do it even better, because he will not give out the ball as often meireles does. and he is faster than meireles and he will surely defend well with veloso with the help of nani too.
i will say what many of you wont agree but that is the fact i see Hugo Almeida more effective than postiga more envolve and more active. against macedonia a more weaker team than Turkia postiga played nothing and hugo almeida played better against Turkia thoug he wasted our chances you can at least feel that we have someone up there.
whenever Almeida plays we are allways dagerous because he gets involve. we dont get the point cause we just look at his weakness and not the good side of him.
Almeida creates more space for us by pushing our oponents up. and he plays well too with his leg and he is very active up there more than postiga. Nelson issue is a mit i want to see him be effective as you people are saying then i will believe.
Patricio
João pereira-----pepe-----alves-----coentrão
------ Veloso---moutinho--------
------------Nani-------------
varela---n.oliveira---Ronaldo
nani can be used as our number 10
if we continue like this we would allways at the end say, we play better, we have more control of the ball etc....
what we really need is to be more effective with the ball and not controling it. to have the ball means nothing when you are not effective with it. inteligent team would not need many ball posesion to show their effectiveness just watch dinmark guys am afraid we are going to play them with this mind.
I just dont think moutinho will take us there if not passing the ball. he cannot esplode with runs or shooting. any team in the world who play tic tac like barca or holland you will ultimately need a player who will by all cost mark a difference by beaten the oponents player. forget the tic tac of barcelona if Messi or Iniesta would not ultimately beat the other players and that will open a space for other players too. i am a player not a professional i know what am saying. our passing and ball control will take us no where. if you watch the mach of holland vs dinmark and russia against vs chec. you would uderstand me better passing would only be effective when you have a players who would ultimately decides for you. chech and holland lost but they were superior in ball posession but not effective.
thanks to iniesta in the last world cup spain would had played hundred tic tac and they would had remained were they are. but iniesta came on to push that team cause Хavi tic tac would do nothing. I bet you any team in the world who does play tic tac, until you have players who will ultimately break through forget it. cause the opponents will just stand there and watch you passing
at any time spain get germany they would bit then, this germany is good at passing but did not show that they have players who can decide for them. staiger remain their best player. for me that is a player. i will repeat my thought Ozil is not as good as people use to say, he has a good vision yes, but he is slow and slopy on the ball not strong. mourinho failure in madrid is to put ozil over kaka. madrid would have been more strong with kaka. kaka even with that age still more faster and more creative and more strong in the ball. kaka is hundred times better than ozil.
just to remind you am not a brasilian, this is the fact am just madrid fun because of C.Ronaldo.
Portugal should play it's best 11. If the best striker is worse than the best midfielder on the sideline, then adjust the lineup to play 3 or 4 across the top with Nani and Ronaldo switching to get the ball on their feet as often as possible.
First, CR as stated is a wing player and not a striker, in my opinion he is a winger with striker type attributes (finisher/goal poacher). My opinion against is that CR has evolved into a very one dimensional l type player who depends on physical power over finesse. This is not a knock but an analysis which means that CR has trouble (I am not the first to state this) with physical, strong, and fast defenders when playing better competition. I am not surprised by Boateng's performance against CR yesterday.
CR does not play well for the NT because he does not have the players around him to allow his one-dimensional play to explode. CR over the years has evolved into a poor passer, bad decision making, and does not link up toO well with the NT team. He is not a creative where he can score on his own like a Messi taking on 2-3 defenders and dribbling by them. Please find a You Tube video with CR scoring a goal where he faked out three defenders. Given CR's great attributes but limited he simply is not able with this current average cast of players around him to perform better. Not blaming him as he is a product of what he does well but does not bring great benefit to the national team. He has about 30 goals in close to 90 games and how often has he scored against good competition.
There is not real short term solution but play Nelson O with and the inconsistent Nani on the other side. There are limitations in midfield until we can find a Deco and Rui Costa type player. This team with the current attributes of the players will struggle with no clear #10. Even our strikers will look better if they have a #10 behind them.
Anyway, I am sure many are upset with the CR comments which is not a put down but a objective analysis and many other soccer experts feel the same way -- this is nothing new.
Anyway despite all of these concerns, we CAN STILL QUALIFY!
Ronaldo doesn't like to stay be limited to the up top position, he doesn't necessarily like to play with his back to goal. That is not his style of play. He will always go back out wide start from there and then make runs into the box from there or the the center etc. But the point is you cannot stick him in the middle permanently during a game. Its not his style. Its not what he does at Real or Man U either. When Ronaldo goes back out wide which he WILL do , Quaresma will not be comfortable with going into the center and the team will lack a reference point to connect with up top. Trust me, Quaresma very rarely has been used as a striker and everytime its been done he's looked poor. He cannot fulfill that role. Neither can Nani. Stop your endless useless begging for Ronaldo to play in the middle it is not going to happen! Cristiano Ronaldo is a WING FORWARD not a CENTER FORWARD.
Ronaldo is best when he has a dynamic skillful mobile striker to connect with. Thus far Postiga has been far better than Almeida at fulfilling this role. The reason being is because to be that kind of striker you cannot only look to score and make runs behind the defense for your own goals, but you also have to be willing to drop deep connect with Ronaldo let him overlap you, and play the return ball back to him etc. It requires great mobility and skill to do this which Almeida DOES NOT have. Postiga has it to an extent thats why they have been good in qualification, but Postiga has his weaknesses which are his physical weakness and his lack of pace. There is NO reason to play Ronaldo in the center! We have been BLESSED by God to have a striker almost perfectly made to fill that same role combining the attributes of mobility, skill, pace, strength, finishing etc to play good up top as a reference for the midfield and wingers, and also good to play fluid total football with swapping positions with Ronaldo or dropping deep to feed him or others when is is required!
That player is none other that NELSON OLIVEIRA! I am extremely passionate about my football and I analyze players attributes and potential and I can tell when players have the ability to do things. Yes Nelson is not the finished article as yet, but as a testament to his sheer potential and quality he is ALREADY better than both Postiga and Almeida. We've been blessed with a good all round striker who is perfect for us. He's the best thing for us since the young Nuno Gomes in Euro 2000 which was the best period ever in Nuno's career. To be honest he dwindled down substantially after 2001. But this is not about him! Nelson Oliveira is a different player with his own attributes and his own career! Fact is I believe Nelson is a good player and can do good things with the good players of the seleccao. Our best front three simply put is Cristiano Ronaldo, Nelson Oliveira, Nani! I believe that trio would be incredible! Whenever Nelson has come on in his brief outings from the friendlies AND against Germany - the so called "best team" in the world currently, he looked very good.
I am not getting over my head and thinking he is perfect and all that rubbish or whatever. I am being honest thats all! If we had other great strikers on our team like Cavani, or Benzema, or David Villa, or Van Persie, or Rooney etc, then I would say rest Nelson on the bench and keep him as a late impact sub. BUT the fact is our two other strikers are not great. Postiga is decent average okay etc. I respect what he does for the national team, he is a true warrior for us and tries his best, but his best is still just decent. Then Almeida is HORRIBLE. Yes he used to be good in Germany in Werder Bremen, when Lazio and Valencia wanted him he should have joined either of those clubs or just stay in Bremen and he would have been in a top competitive league with good players and would still be at or near his best. BUT no, he was a fool, and joined a stupid Turkish club and now he is a complete mess! So considering all this, I think it is a reasonable choice to make Nelson Oliveira the starter for Portugal. He's got the ability and he's also got a strong mentality. He is tranquil and full of talent. Let's play Nelson Oliveira from the start! That trio Cristiano , Nelson , Nani will be incredible!
I thought you are being much too kind to Nani. I'm sorry but his best chance/look came on a miss hit pass. He hangs onto the ball much too long when players are available. I'm sorry, but Nani just doesn't seem to have a feel for the game. One on one, fine, but once he has to make a decision, he chooses the wrong more often than not.
And this is the guy that's going to slide into the middle of the field, in Ryder to create? Crazy.
(Fernandes would have been prefect to bring onto a game like this)
I thought that Moutinho was excellent off the ball, but he provided little in terms of quality going forward. Yes he had the great delivery to Cristiano, but that was it. When the ball found itself at hs feet the ball always went square or back.
Alves only knows to punt the ball out. Where it goes nobody knows, including him.
Varela looked bad on his opportunity.
All in all a good performance. Let's not forget that the German fans would be giving their players harsh today. They blew a few opportunities.
Let's face it, after the last two very poor showings anything would have been better. Glad to see the team preform at a high level. We Te one get away.
Still plenty to play for.
What dissapointed me to a degree was that they only truly searched for a goal once they had conceded.
At the recent world cup ,same was evident against spain
[fortunate to have been in stadium]-we only truly became competitive once we had conceded.
Paulo Bento didnt want to lose this game- clearly that was his objective.
To be brutal- we often dont believe were good enough-but were actually are.
All is not lost, were capable of getting 6 points in the next two games-lets hope the players believe so too.
Regarding Varela- yes he was effective once he came on - but honestly dont believe he should start, [bear in mind -he came on once the opposition players had tired, after 80 min]
Conclusion,i personally believe we will get 4 pts @ best , and this group will go down to goal difference or head to head.
Forca guys.
and if they do qualify then don't bother commenting on this website cause you just lost the respect of all true Portuguese fans. Criticism is one thing, but hating and insults are just low class... Go enjoy supporting Spain or some other country with your patriotic father in law.
Btw, Portugal lost to Greece and won the next two games, so there is still a chance.
Would love to see your posts in the next fews days if Portugal win. Even if Portugal were to lose all three games, I wouldn't be ashamed, I'd still be proud of the team for qualifying.
Never be ashamed of your team that qualified into a major competition. Be ashamed if they've got the talent, but failed to qualify.
FORCA TUGAS!
I've said this before and i'll say it again, i am way more confident after this match than i was before it. We would have won the match or at least had a draw if it wasn't for the severe unlucky finishing of a few of our players. I don't blame them at all, finishes don't always go the way you want it to and today, it just didn't go our way at all. What can we do? Soldier on. We are still in this, and i don't doubt the Selecção for one second considering what i saw today.
We are still in it. Certainly with work to do but with some better organized attack starting at thte midfield we should find the back of the net multiple times against the Danes.
Keep the faith and forca Portugal!!!
I would give Bruno and Fabio a higher rating. Fabio was the top player for Portugal today, well above everyone else. I hope he brings his A game again on Wed but I'm worried about him getting a second yellow. I would hate to loss him against the Dutch.
Pepe was extremely unlucky not to have scored at the end of the first half. It really is a game of inches as they say. Pepe and Coentrao were my standout performers for Portugal. I was really impressed with Varela's handling and trickery which along with Nani created some tense moments for the Germans near the end of the game. It is a shame that Portugal wasn't able to impose themselves throughout the entire game the way they did in the final 10 minutes. However, I suspect that was in large part due to the fact that Germany were sitting back more to preserve their narrow lead.
WIth Denmark winning against the Netherlands, Portugal absolutely need to beat Denmark and the Netherlands to ensure they progress. I would sit Postiga and Almeida and start Oliveira for the next match.
Germany didn't impress me all that much today despite winning the match on a somewhat fortunate header for Gomez. They will need to play better if they expect to win against teams like Spain.
How do you play with passion or measure it in a soccer game where focus, organization, and disciplined are needed. This is not American football with big hits and fist pumping, this is futebol where one must conserve their energy and over emotional can hurt you.
We played with determination, heart and focus despite the fact we have trouble finishing. The problem is not passion but finishing.
We can still qualify despite our weak finishing.
`were talking as if Portugal had lost before the game even started. With that kind of support who needs critics. Go ahead, and blame the coach, because no coach will ever be good enough for some of you mouth breathers. Pick on a few players, because most of you could pick a better team. For me, i'm very proud of our coaches, and the great effort that our team put in. 2 great teams, sadly 1 had to loose. I still believe!!
FORCA PORTUGAL!!!!!
You can't be anything but proud of that team. We'll make it out of the group if we keep playing this well and I think we'd actually beat Germany - the purported tournament favorites - if we played them 2x.
I also thought his passing was terrible. Someone has to sit him down and tell him not to try to break out the play. Just move it to the midfielders. He is not talented enough to make a long killer pass.
I feel bad for Pepe. Played a great game except for those few seconds were he lost Gomez. Even with the odd mistake i still rate him as world class.
Ronaldo was a bit uneven. Did several good things, but when he's set up in the box like that he really has to do better for us.
Hope to see much more of Olivera (especially against strong teams). He's physical enough to hold up the ball and bring the other players into attack.
Watching the game with my father in law, he saw it too. They played with no passion, they were scared, like they knew they were going to lose. He said it when I was getting him a beer, he called the goal because they were standing there watching.
my father in law said he was asheamed of that team and I am too.
they are going out in three games
Coentrão was great tonight, like in the World Cup. I though Oliveira looked great actually, composed and clever play in tense moments. Would love to see more of him. Verela played very well, esp. considering the poor season he had.
But why diss Portugal not attack more BEFORE being down. Not all the time granted, but in the last minutes we were all over them at times. Unlucky with the wood work
Força Portugal
I think Bruno deserves a 6 for his performance. He silenced his critics as I thought he was solid throughour this match.
Again, this was a coin toss of a match, and if they Germany or favorites then we know we are just as good as them.
Now that the next two games are must wins, hopefully the team will play with a more positive mentality and attacking minded style.
The midfield didn't allow Germany to attack our greatest weakness up the middle.. and bar Veloso/Pepe's mistake on the goal.. it was an excellent match.
Good on them all.. had a few pints with some German's and they were very classy in the win... if a few balls had gone inches in another direction we might have won that game.. soundly..
nonetheless good result.. we were not embarrassed by the tournament favourite.. and with Holland losing the group is still wide open..
Forca Portugal..
I think Bruno deserves a 6 for his performance. He silenced his critics as I thought he was solid throughour this match.
Again, this was a coin toss of a match, and if they Germany or favorites then we know we are just as good as them.