Paulo Bento and Portugal’s players were reasonably satisfied after drawing at the home of the Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland tonight. A contained optimism was evident as the protagonists gave their reaction to the goalless draw in Warsaw.
Paulo Bento, Portugal coach:
“We played an excellent first half, when we were closer to our identity and our way of playing. We had a lot of quality in the way we dominated the game and in our attacking transitions. We created several chances and at the break the score did not translate what had happened.
“In the second half we had less quality and played some loose passes, allowing our opponents to break quickly, and at the end Poland could have scored. I don't think it’s a fair result, but I’m happy with the honest shift put in by the players. It served to observe different players and help us make decisions.
“It’s too early to have the squad totally defined. We have kept a coherent line of thought, an identity and a stability in our options. There are a few months to go until the leagues finish, but if nothing untoward happens, this stability will remain our philosophy.”
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal captain:
“We always have to have the ambition to be the best. Portugal’s going to the Euro with the ambition to win it. We know it’s a difficult mission and we have to take it one step at a time. Is it possible we can win the Euro? Nothing is impossible if you have ambition. But we have to stay humble and with our feet on the ground. We must realise that it’s going to be tough.
“I hope the Portuguese support the Seleccao like they did in 2004, putting flags up in their houses and singing songs about Portugal. The Seleccao is the club of all the Portuguese. We all have to pull in the same direction.”
Joao Moutinho:
“Overall we did well but we have room for improvement. At the Euro every team is a candidate to win it but first we have to get through the group phase and then think about other targets.”
Nelson Oliveira, Portugal debutant:
“It was a hugely proud moment for me, a dream that I have had since I was a child. I have a long history in the national team youth levels but this is a different kind of emotion and I hope to repeat it.”
Rui Patricio, Portugal goalkeeper:
“We have excellent goalkeepers who give guarantees to Paulo Bento. We have worked hard, myself, Beto and Eduardo, and we are all well prepared. The most important thing is the evolution of the team and the work we have to do to have an excellent Euro.
“We are in a strong group but we have to think only about ourselves and ask the fans to support us so that we can be even stronger.”
by Tom Kundert
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I would have liked to see Nelson Oliveira up front, with CR and Nani on the wings, Viana and Moutinho as mids, with Manny as a defensive mid, and coentrao, pepe, the guy from apoel(I forget his name now), and joao pereira at the back. Then start substituting players from there eg. Postiga, Meireles, bruno alves, and see which combinations work best.
Also, I don't think Nani is a selfish player. I think he just doesn't trust Almeida.
By the way, the Dutch looked old, slow and much too deliberate verse England. Their right and left backs were eaten alive by so so players. If Von Bommel has to constantly roll to Cristianos side, the middle and Nani shoud have great opportunities.
That brings me to the following. Cristiano has always been better at attacking the defense from out wide. Most of his goals and free kicks come from there. If you stick him in the middle it will be much easier to cover him, since defenses won't have to roll his way. That doesn't mean he shouldn't switch ides or move in at times like he does with Real.
Almeida is a physical striker that prefers contact. In my opinion Postiga is well liked because he runs all over the place. I will grant you that he sometimes scores from being a goal poacher, aka Nuno, but sometimes all that running is for naught.
Meireles worries me, because he's had a difficult year at Chelsea. We'll see if he can recover.
I know I'll get killed, but I still think that unless the players around him are playing great, Moutinho will get lost. He disappears way too much, when he could and maybe should be the provider.
Forget Carvalho. Although I thought it was a huge mistake in letting him go, it would be worst to bring him back now. Manager would lose all credibility.
Our bench is awful. I actually agree that some new fesh faces should have been taken to Poland for this one, let them train a bit with the big boys and get the experience even if they don't see the field.
Lastly, what did Oliveira gain from ten minutes. Why not let him see the field for twenty. Even if we would have lost I would preferred to have seen him get acclimated. The best thing I heard was him making all the right statements afterwards. It seems as if he's got a got head on his shoulders.
I really don't know if we can change much at this point. I feel we have the quality to advance, but we are who we are.
I feel that the Dutch are in the very same boat so that's not a bad thing.
I guess I was hoping to see something, and didn't learn or see anything different in this match.
I agree with comments regarding crafty small players up front, it would help fluidity of our game. If only we had someone to fit that description. Given the players available working toward a system of play that is familiar to the team is a good approach.
The team can create some decent chances but is not able to control an entire match. If they could focus on improving decision making in final third, make players more aware of teammates positions to improve goal output/chances created.
Second focus Id like to see is addressing lapses in concentration, we have too many players that tend to switch off during the game...hard to get results when you only ever have half the team engaged.
I agree with Edie. When the games count play Postiga and sit Almeida.
LET'S PLAY OUR STYLE and we may have better luck than we had in the past.
How long did it take for Spain to finally lift their trophies.
Too Often its only Nani and Ronaldo creating when they should be serviced with passing. And only then will any of these strikers be able to succeed in the middle of those two.
When writing a comment of biblical proportions, you may want throw in a bit of white space to give your words a little room to breathe and let my eyes have a rest and not explode.
(BAM! Paragraph)
......thanks
In response to your actual comment, I agree Quaresma is poo. In fact half our team is full of selfish egotistical wangs.
Oh I do miss Figo.