Ricardo Carvalho: “It’s not an ideal situation but we shall overcome”
Captain and interim coach speak as one ahead of Cyprus clash
 After all the unseemly political wrangling surrounding Carlos Queiroz’s position as Portugal’s head coach, the focus thankfully switches to actual football tonight, as the Seleccao kick off their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign against Cyprus in Guimaraes.
Inevitably, the Queiroz theme came up in the pre-match press conference. Ricardo Carvalho, the stand-in captain in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, has emphasised the importance of union among the squad.
“Queiroz? It’s not an easy situation, or an ideal one. But we’re going to try and overcome these difficulties. What’s important is to be united. We have to show professionalism so that we start qualification well. The more experienced players have to help the new members of the squad. It’s essential that everybody feels comfortable.
“Cyprus won’t be easy. In World Cup qualification they were beating Italy 2-0 but ended up losing 3-2. We are going to have to give the best of ourselves.”
Surprised by retirements
Carvalho also spoke about the decisions of Paulo Ferreira and Simao to retire from international football and admits the news took him by surprise.
“Neither of them spoke to me. I didn’t expect Paulo to retire, sincerely. I’ve spent a lot of time with him and the announcement was a surprise to me. Paulo will have his reasons. I also had no idea that Simao would take this option. I think they can still give a lot to this team. They are young and have quality.”
The Real Madrid centre-back added that he had no intention of making a similar decision any time soon. “I feel ready to make my contribution to my country for a long time yet.”
Queiroz pulling the strings
The team will be selected by assistant coach Agostinho Oliveira, but the experienced tactician left no doubts about the fact that Queiroz had a big say in player selection and tactics.
“Carlos Queiroz is still the coach. So of course, the squad and the team will have his mark, although he is not here. I’m not doing this job alone. However, there will be no communication at half time. The options have to be taken by whoever is on the bench.
“I’ve clearly tried to distance the group from this situation, because the players have nothing to do with it. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t have any effect.
“Nevertheless, we have to consider ourselves favourites. But each game has its own history. Cyprus are a tight unit and have a lot of players who are used to playing together, and this creates good understanding.”
“The game against Norway perhaps will be more difficult, given the way Norway play, especially the danger they pose from dead-ball situations. The truth is we had a bad recent experience. Denmark finished ahead of us in World Cup qualifying, so we can’t think it’s going to be easy for us to finish first in the group.”
Expected Portugal line-up:
Eduardo, Miguel, Bruno Alves, Ricardo Carvalho, Fabio Coentrao, Manuel Fernandes, Joao Moutinho, Raul Meireles, Danny, Hugo Almeida, Nani
by Tom Kundert
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Meireles & Fernandes insert Veloso, Tiago etc..
they leave huge gaps in the back.. by attacking at the wrong times.
When you have Miguel and Coentrao that move forward you need someone to cover.. if not.. it is a field day for the other squad..
Quaresma so far in the first half is like those balerinas in a box that you wind up.. so pretty with the girly music playing.. but what man would have one of those in his room..
7 crosses/passes 0 intended targets.
CR is guilty of the same.. a lot of dance but if you can't pass we can't score.
Can't say I didn't predict this.. but still think they can get back to a winning way with a couple of subs.. hopefully a CB to fill the spot Fernandes should be playing.
Anyways Half time nears.
Alves on the other hand is a good defender but is a hot head and is always good for at least one or two red cards.. so although I love the passion.. I feel he is a better assistant.
I feel when they get a new manager he might name a new captain.
I think I might agree a little with alexinho about Quaresma. I was watching some clips of him playing against Chelsea a few years ago and they really gave him a hard time with their physical play. He's going to have to get used to a more physical style of defense if he ever wants to play in an elite league. Don't get me wrong, I still want to see him play, but he needs to improve by adding some steel to that silky play that we all enjoy so much.
Why Fernandes? Proof that Queer Eyes is still lurking.
I think Felipe had the best squad selection if they don't go with a 4-4-2 and with the missing squad members.
Normally I wouldn't select Quaresma because he is such a loose canon, and he hurts the squad more than he helps, but right now with the injuries it is a perfect time to give him a run out and show his true value or lack their of.
Also for all that think Cyprus is easy pickings you are in for a treat, like Greece they are a very well organized team that gave Italy more than they could handle, and that is on the road.. at home they are incredible. Mark my words they will not go down easy and if the NT doesn't come out to play we will lose at home.
Unlike Joel I have always felt Portugal's forwards/mids are very weak defenders so to protect the back you have to use a CB as your defensive mid.. any of those players that are supposed Defensive Mids are anything but.. Veloso, Meireles, Tiago etc.. are only useful up the pitch.
So I think they should always play with a solid defensive back four.. which we have in spades especially if Miguel starts on the right.. and a CB in Defensive Mid. That way we have extra cover in the air, on set-plays.. and going forward can even add offensive air.
So I feel you always need to start with that as a basis then use the combo of players up front to ascertain how offensive you will be. Personally against a team like Cyprus a 4-4-2 with actually two strikers and not a CR or Danny or Simao as the second whould work well with that back 5.
Against better teams you can resort to the 4-3-3 or other varients of it, but believe you always have to stay solid in the back.. especially with all these forwards.. they might have to draft in a personal defender right behind Quaresma to do the work for him.
Anyways.. no real defensive mids in this squad.. just want to be forwards.
Good luck.. it will be interesting to watch anyways.. Forca Portugal..
But how on earth do u start with manuel fernandes ahead of tiago and miguel veloso is beyond me.tiago doesn't seems to be the fans least favourite despite a bright world cup display and a blinder against north korea. miguel veloso had a good debut with genoa so it should be either of the 2
Danny should play behind the 2 strikers almeida and maybe nani
In the case of quaresma he'll always flop against a physical team like norway
Força Portugal!!!
I agree with Andre--I thought Carvahlo or Simao should've been made captain after Figo retired. Simao always showed more head smarts and leadership on the pitch than Ronaldo ever has.
And Danny? Seriously? Why is this guy still on the Seleccao?
We need some new blood to go with Coentrao, Meireles, Pepe, and Bosingwa. I wouldn't count on Quaresma.
How much of a joke this is when they give vice-captain to the veteran players and let Ronaldo keep captain. come on.
Eduardo
Miguel Ricardo Bruno Fabio Coentrao
Moutinho Raul Meireles
Nani Danny Ricardo Quaresma
Hugo Almeida
Anyway the general rule should be start the best players in there best position, if things don't go well then get creative... Don't start players out of position and hope to change in during the game.
Against Cyprus, I'd hope we would try and be a bit more adventurous going forward... thus drop the defensive midfielder... Bruno and Ricardo should cope just fine.
My Starting X1
Eduardo
Silvio Ricardo Bruno Fabio
Moutinho Meireles
Nani Danny Quaresma
Hugo
Forca...
I must confess I'm really confused about where Danny should actually play. Some people say that he plays central mid for Zenit, others say he plays striker. When I've watched him play, it looks as if he's on the wing. I just want to see him get used in the position he's best at, wherever that is.