Portugal v Czech Republic Preview

June 10th, 2008 | by: Greg |

Portugal v. Czech Republic
Group A, Matchday 2: June 11, 2008 @ Noon Eastern, 18:00 Local
Stade de Geneve, Geneva Switzerland
WorldCupBlog (Euro2008 Edition) Liveblog Link Here

Preview
Even though both of these teams come into this match off of opening round wins, I’m not so sure both have taken away the same amount of confidence that normally comes with a first match victory. The Czech Republic were underwhelming in their opener, allowing a number of Switzerland chances and six corners to the hosts. While the Swiss attack looked somewhat hindered by the injury to Alexander Frei (who is now ruled out of the whole tournament), the Czechs didn’t do much to take advantage of this and put their definitive stamp on the game. A number of these consequences can be blamed on facing a host nation in the opening match, and I’ll allow some leeway for that. On the other hand, the Czechs didn’t do much to justify a FIFA ranking of 6th in the world.

However, our beloved, whiny, slow-starting, individualistic Portuguese crybabies managed to effectively stuff Turkey in their first match of Euro2008. While we were all busy lamenting what we felt was going to be a display of inevitably individualistic football brought on by impatience and frustration actually ended up being a largely fluent, attacking brand of football with each player doing his part to make the free-flowing system employed by Scolari work. I know Turkey aren’t Argentina or Brazil, but since the tag line for this tournament seems to be “All 16 teams have a chance” we should hang our hats on a job relatively well done with a 2-0 win over the Turks, as they are certainly not to be considered pushovers.

Probable Portuguesian Primary XI

Cristiano Ronaldo – Nuno Gomes – Simão
Deco – João Moutinho – Petit
Paulo Ferreira – Ricardo Carvalho – Pepe – Bosingwa
Ricardo

Since Quim’s been sent home with a broken wrist he suffered in training, all pre-tournament discussion of who’s the better fit between him and Ricardo goes out the window. Nuno from Porto has been called to the Alps as the new third keeper. I’d like to see Portugal start with Hugo Almeida (1.91 m tall) in place of Nuno Gomes, especially against a Czech team that’s going to be targeting the massive Jan Koller (2.02 m tall) on set pieces into the box. While we have some real beasts in the air with Pepe and Ricky Carvalho, “NoNet Goalpost” proved a rather ineffective “striker” in the beginning of Saturday’s affair, thus Almeida deserves a run out here. Still, I don’t think Scolari is going to tinker with what brought home the victory last match even though I’d like to see Quaresma in for Simmy on the flank and the aforementioned change of Hugo Almeida up front to supplant Nuno Gomes as the lone attacker.

Key Player
Jose Bosingwa, Right Back – In the opening third of the match against Switzerland, the Czech Republic’s midfield looked as though they had all undergone lobotomies and were a step away from being cast in the next Night of the Living Dead movie. If they feel like coming out as lethargic as they did in the opener, Cristiano and Bosingwa will be sure to tear them apart with slicing runs and impose the Portuguese attacking impetus from the outset. I’d hate to be the Czech defense facing the entire Portuguese front line as a defender flies forward past a sloppy or sluggish midfield.

Tactics
Switzerland came out “guns a blazin’” against the Czechs and it still didn’t wake them up until almost the start of the second half. I worry that the Czechs may have gotten a real tongue lashing after their overwhelmingly mediocre showing against the Swiss, forcing them to approach their encounter with the Portuguese having a genuine chip on their shoulder. While the Chops were largely able to brush aside any clinical Turkish fouls, the Czechs play a more physically imposing game than their Crescent Star counterparts. The Czechs will look to frustrate the Portuguese early and force them off their free flowing style of play that worked so effectively against the Turks. A knockdown dragout type of game definitely favors the Czechs, as it plays to their strengths and exploits perhaps the largest Portuguese weakness.

The Portuguese don’t really need to change much of the tactics that they employed against Turkey when they face the Czechs. As the Czech Republic are a more technically gifted team, the defenders may be more reluctant to go forward and leave the back exposed like they did against Turkey. Therefore, we may see less goals from Pepe and Boswinga may try a pass through Moutinho or Petit rather than exploit the right channel if he feels pressure from the Czech attack early. Like with Turkey, the Portuguese must not allow the more physical Czechs to frustrate them into selfish play. Portugal have to remember how effective playing as a single unit was against the Turks and apply that blueprint going forward. If they are capable of staying away from what has been their Achilles heel in the past (becoming easily frustrated, turn to one player trying to do too much), Portugal have the talent to play with and beat any team in this tournament.

Prediction
Both teams were favored at the start of this tournament to come through this group. With wins in their first matches, they are probably still comfortable favorites to continue on to the knockout stages. However, I have a feeling that the beginning of this match may play a bit like the first leg of a Champions League tie: very cautious, conservative, and ultimately boring. The Czechs will have no desire to get into an end-to-end footrace with the Chops and will more likely than not look to hold the ball up in the midfield and build a very deliberate attack from this. They’ll be looking to frustrate the Portuguese into being impatient and that’s when they’ll try and strike. A slow, measured start will be bad news for Portugal, but I feel that the defense has the talent to at least hold a draw if the match turns super boring. I’m riding way too high on how the Portuguese attacked as a unit against the Turks to predict anything other than a Portuguese win here. It won’t be easy though, and I can definitely see the Czechs capitalizing early from a purposeful, calculated strategy… Portugal 2 – 1 Czech Republic.

And, of course… Ahem… Força Portugal!!!!

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Comments

By Nelson from NYC | June 10th, 2008 at 3:45 pm

Allow me to be the first to commend you Greg on the nickname of the day, “NoNet Goalpost” easily trumps my “Nuno nice pass” and that is why the pay you the big bucks to keep us entertained.
Forca Portugal!!

By João | June 10th, 2008 at 3:51 pm

That picture its blinding me argh…! ;p

Anyway the real question for me is whether Portugal can keep playing (and improving, because its a long way before we can defeat the other favourites) like we did in the first match. Before we head back turning into a bunch of, well to quote you: “whiny, individualistic Portuguese crybabies”

As for the Czechs, no idea what to expect from them they were unimpressive in the first match but still… they managed to beat Germany 3-0 in Munich. :\

Posted from Netherlands

By Ceasar | June 10th, 2008 at 4:01 pm

Good summary Greg.
Only have to add that the Czech’s coach said in an interview that he felt Portugal was an easy team to prepare for because we play a “very predictable style of game”. I hate to say it but he may have a point?
Maybe Scolari will change things up and totally screw the Czech’s up. We’ll see tomorrow…

Forca Portugal!

Posted from Canada

By Ceasar | June 10th, 2008 at 4:03 pm

P.S.
Thank god that guy covered up his nipples because that would have been a little over the top!
I’m going to insert some sharp objects into my eye’s now to take the pain away. haha

Posted from Canada

By Cristovao | June 10th, 2008 at 4:46 pm

Dude, how can one man be so funny?! I love the nicknames. Awesome pics. This blog is awesome. You’re the only one I’ve found that tells it like it is. ‘Nuff with the praise, onto the comments and predictions… Portugal 2 Czechs 1. Hoping Quaresma will get a shot to razzle dazzle in the 2nd half. Finally, I can’t be the only guy here who’s glad to see Italy and Greece lose both of their openers. Between the World Cup 06 champs and the Euro 04 champs, they have 0 goals. Fantastic!

Posted from Canada

By Greg | June 10th, 2008 at 5:59 pm

I appreciate the compliments guys, glad to entertain.

Ceasar, if you stand on train tracks while staring into the front of an oncoming freight liner, no matter how predictable the train’s motion may be, can you prepare yourself to stop it?

By Greg | June 10th, 2008 at 6:11 pm

In a Ceasar-esque PS – Cristovao, Noooo, NO ONE here wanted THOSE teams to LOSE!

By Tony B | June 10th, 2008 at 6:40 pm

Greg ,first of all great blog.
I am of the belief that games are won by controlling the center field and we have the players to prove it. Scolary is the best coach ,(tactitian), out of the 16, however we do need a finisher, Gomes ain’t it , well we prevail?
I am sure by keeping Gomes out ,Ronnie up front and that good looking cigano on his place would be just what we need

Keep up the good work

Tony

Posted from Canada

By Sammy | June 10th, 2008 at 7:31 pm

Ronaldo has long legs like a chick.

Posted from Canada

By goalcentre | June 10th, 2008 at 11:29 pm

Chick’s legs are sexy! lol.. Anyhow, Portugal will most likely win this match. They have too much fire power for the Czechs..

Posted from Malaysia

By webrp | June 11th, 2008 at 3:06 am

Portugal must be carefull, because everyone in Portugal its already claiming for the final victory.
We played better against turkey, but we also didnt have “bad luck”. I mean the referee didnt see Simao´s hand on ball (penalty perhaps) and Turkey missed a goal 5min before the end of game, when score was 1-0…

Posted from Portugal

By webrp | June 11th, 2008 at 3:07 am

Oh and I missed this,
portugal players on http://www.portugalfootball.net

Posted from Portugal

By Dr Brian Mendonca | June 11th, 2008 at 6:01 am

Otimo Greg! Simply waiting for the opening whistle for tonight’s game. Portugal simply have the most beautiful/artistic/gallant flag of all the Euro nations (at least it has nothing to do with horizontal or vertical dabs of paint). I’m not worried – Eu usarei a minha bandeira do portugal em minha camiseta.

o brian
nova deli
http://www.lastbustovasco.blogspot.com

Posted from United Kingdom

By Pedro | June 11th, 2008 at 11:50 am

Guys, it´s half time and I´m not liking this AT ALL!!! Too many passes missed, they´re making us run after the ball and their corners (as we saw but still already knew) are super poisiness.
Let´s hope they come with more atitude into the second half and kick the czech´s ass (if they don´t kick ours firs…).No half time subs suggestions, on this side… Don´t think Alw

FORÇA PT!!!!
BORA COM ISSO, PORRA!!!!!

Posted from Netherlands

By Pedro | June 11th, 2008 at 11:53 am

Guys, it´s half time and I´m not liking this AT ALL!!! Too many passes missed, they´re making us run after the ball and their corners (as we saw but still already knew) are super poisiness.

Let´s hope they come with more atitude into the second half and kick the czech´s ass (if they don´t kick ours firs…).

No half time subs suggestions, on this side… Don´t think Almeida or Quaresma could do any good, right now… We need more strength in midfield, CR is already playing in the middle of the park… Dunno…

FORÇA PT!!!!
GANHAR ESSA PORRA!!!!!

Posted from Netherlands

By Pedro | June 11th, 2008 at 1:16 pm

FINALLY! It´s over… What a suffering, dudes… If this would have ended a draw, it wouldn´t have been unfair for the czechs. They were very, very strong. We didn´t play well but we still managed the win. Anyway, beating the czechs is always complementary…

If we end up facing Germany or Croatia, playing like this, I don´t think we stand a great chance… Although, in any case, I do believe our team has enough to take it. What we don´t have we can compensate.

Anyway, 6 points in the bag (that´s what counts), CR scoring a great goal and Quaresma putting his name on the scoresheet!

FORÇA PT!!!

Posted from Netherlands

By miguel | June 11th, 2008 at 1:25 pm

5 Things

1. Portugal has a world of trouble with corner kicks and crosses. Part of it is Ricardo, yes, but part is also our marking. This goes way back to the last Euro, when Greece scored on us from a corner.

2. Deco was the brilliant mazy runner and passed I remember

3. What’s up with Simao taking free kicks? This should never happen. Ronaldo then Deco should be up on him.

4. Paging the artist formerly known as Nuno Gomes

5. THEY FREED RICARDO QUARESMA!!!

By Ceasar | June 11th, 2008 at 1:49 pm

We did it! Towards the end of the second half we looked much better. Ricardo is really really scaring me!!! He hasn’t got a clue what he’s doing. To catch or not to catch. To attach or stay back??? We are in big trouble if Scolari doesn’t straighten him out.
They really targeted Ferriera but he held up pretty good. I was really happy with the subs and it looks like Deco might be peaking at the right time for a change.
Miguel – in close free kicks should be taken by Simao. He’s better at those than Ronaldo. Ronaldo needs more distance to make the ball work for him. Deco is okay but should definitely be 3rd or fourth selection behind Petit.

Like Pedro said, 6 points and lets clean up with the Swiss and start fixing some things up for the knock-out stage….

Posted from Canada

By João | June 11th, 2008 at 1:51 pm

I’ll wait for the Portugal review before making my comment. :p

Posted from Netherlands

By LusoCanuck | June 11th, 2008 at 3:18 pm

That was definately a area from wich ronaldo should be the default kick taker.

I do agree with Ceaser however when it comes to ricardo…What a friggin liability, he looks shaky. We do have to give him credit though for the tip save near the end, i think i peed myself a little bit during that play. i think i counted four give aways from Bosingwa as well.

Posted from United States