Tactics and probable starting XI

Scolari’s Portugal is a well-balanced unit much in the mould of the 2002 Brazil that he helmed to glory in Japan. The tactical layout is similar with a base that attempts to balance a sharpened attack with a blunting defense.

Tactics and probable starting XI

To give a better idea of how the two Felipão sides compare, the Brazil 2002 winners fielded the following first eleven against Germany: Marcos; Cafú, Lúcio, Roque Junior, Roberto Carlos; Kléberson, Gilberto Silva and Edmílson, Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Rivaldo and Ronaldo.

Scolari is toying with the idea of the following first eleven in the German debut next month: Ricardo (Sporting Lisbon); Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Fernando Meira (Stuttgart); Maniche (ex-Chelsea) and Petit (Benfica); Luis Figo (Inter Milan), Deco (Barcelona) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Pauleta (PSG).

The first thing that pops into view is the difference between the 2002 and 2006 formations. With Brazil, Felipão fielded an apparent 4-3-3 whereas with Portugal it seems he’s changed top a 4-2-3-1. This is, however, a largely cosmetic difference as during a game Felipão is a participative Coach and orders formation changes according to the state of play.

In fact Brazil chopped and changed between layouts with such a seamless ease that the seleção managed to combine Scolari’s trademark solidity in defense with a devastating attack that saw Ronaldo shine in dazzling contrast to the previous season with Cuper at Inter. That is exactly what Felipão wants to mount a serious challenge in Germany – a block that adapts and dominates.

The main difference will be seen with less mobile wing-backs; Nuno Valente and Paulo Ferreira don’t have the same attacking punch that Cafú and Roberto Carlos offer(ed). Valencia’s Miguel is an option that Felipão is also pondering. The midfield is more comparable to the Kléberson-Gilberto Silva-Edmílson trio with more attacking flair in the shape of Deco that gives the Portuguese an offensive edge in any comparison.

Petit and Maniche will be in charge of battening down the hatches on the Selecção’s first line of defense – with Tiago and Costinha waiting in the wings should the need arise. Their sacrifice in purely defensive tasks should allow Deco to be freed up and in a position to channel through balls to Figo, Pauleta and Ronaldo.

The 2002 Brazilian Trio of ‘R’ – Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Rivaldo and Ronaldo – is on a par to the Portuguese equivalent in 2006. If Pauleta retains his club touch, if Figo can squeeze one more star tournament out before hanging his spurs up, and if Cristiano Ronaldo can remember to keep it cool there’s arguably a World Cup top scoring strike force here.

Goal.com