Bento names squad for Argentina Friendly

Wow solid squad from both sides. Gonna be an excellent match!

A little shocked that he stuck with Almeida instead of like you guys said
Varela or Liedson, but I guess if its not broke don’t fix it..

Posted from  United States

This should be a great game for Portugal. I believe that we have the talent to be considered one of the top 3 national teams in the world. We beat Spain 4-0, but Argentina beat them 4-1 and they also beat Brazil, so it should be a difficult game. Yes they do have some fantastic players in attack, but their defense isn’t that great.

It will probably be like the Spain game, but we’ll have a little more possession. The Argentines will likely attack us from the start, giving us plenty of room to unleash our unstoppable counter attacks. I don’t see us keeping a clean sheet, but Ronaldo and Nani will prove to be too much for the Argentine defense.

3-1 win

We definitely have potential to win a major tournament (though an European Championship seems more likely than a World Cup). If Denmark and Greece (as much respect as I have to them, they don’t have a football history as rich as ours nor the same quality of players) won an European Championship each, Portugal can definitely too. We just need to keep qualifying to the tournaments, and then… at some point gather all the crucial ingredients: good form, inspired players, ambitiuos coach with the right tactics at the right time, the so-called “luck” (even though I don’t believe in such thing) and a goalkeeper who’ll shine just when we need. He doesn’t have to be world-class, only do his work at every possible minute.
Oh, and no more interference between the coaches and the FPF and ABSOLUTELY nothing what happened with Scolari and Ronaldo in Euro 2008. It’s funny that we stopped to win as soon as Scolari told he would be leaving (REALLY bad timing) and because of the journalists who kept asking Ronaldo about him moving to RM. It really ruined our performances.

ABout this game… it won’t give a hint about how Norway will be playing in June, but it will test our competitiveness and sharpness of the defense. I think Bosingwa isn’t in great form, but I don’t see who’ll be replacing him, so I’d be fine with the NT starting like this:
Eduardo/Patrício, B. Alves, Coentrão, Bosingwa, R. Carvalho, C. Martins, Moutinho, R. Meireles, Ronaldo, Nani and Quaresma.

Posted from  Portugal

@Jon

I don’t see us being quite as controlling as we were against Spain, because I feel Argentina is in a similar situation as us with a new coach and all. They are out to prove something just like we are. I’m gonna go with a 2-1 PORTUGAL victory.

@Ivan
I agree with you. I know we can win the big one and it will come sooner rather than later, thats for sure. I hope it happens to this terrific generation of players.

Also, that lineup looks solid. I would be pleased with that eleven starting. I kinda want Postiga in there for Quaresma though just to make sure he wasn’t a one hit wonder on the NT against Spain. I think Postiga is regenerized to really be the answer to the striker conundrum we’ve had recently. I really hope so.

Posted from  United States

*re-energized

Posted from  United States

No, I recognize Postiga’s usefulness for the NT lately, but since this is a friendly, it’s good to experiment with some choices. I’d be glad if Quaresma plays around 60 minutes and then gets subbed for Postiga. You know, to rotate the players a bit. I want to see how Quaresma’ll play if he gets to be choosen for the field.

Posted from  Portugal

@Ivan

I dont get your strategy. Quaresma, Nani, and CR are all wingers none of which are consistant enough to play the striker role. Almeida has a good success rate but Postiga has been playing well so I dont mind either of the two.

Lets stick with the mid 3 and see how far it takes us.

Joao Pereira played a very sharp game vs. Spain and Bosingwa should be backing him up in our current state.

Eduardo really hasnt had a bad game internationally so we should keep him in for now.

I think we can shutout Argentina and I predict a 3-0 win.. and 4-0 for Bento.

Lets go!

Posted from  Canada

Anyone know what time it will be on ?

@Alex

Perfect post. I agree with everything you have said.

Ivan, you stated Ronaldo Nani and Quaresma should be playing vs Argentina? I don’t see neither Quaresma, Ronaldo or Nani a solid striker since they are used to playing on the wings. Maybe Ronaldo but that would need Bento to see him as a striker, which I don’t think is going to happen. Nevertheless, I really want to see Quaresma playing. He has incredible talent which has just been put to waste these last few years.

Also, I think you are leaving out Joao Pereira. He played an almost perfect game vs Spain and should be seen as a definite replacement for Bosingwa, if not then starter.

Eduardo seems good enough to play for our NT, especially since our rock solid, RM pair, Ricardo Carvalho and Pepe are unlikely to give Eduardo much traffic coming his way.

As for a striker I do not know who fits perfectly into this position. Postiga was good vs Spain, but we have to see if it was a just a “lucky game” for him. Personally I don’t see him capable of syncing well enough with our speedy wingers and counter attacks. Almeida rarely comes back to help, and Liedson wasn’t even called up by Bento. I’m really crossing my fingers that Bento calls up Bebe soon. I know he hasn’t been getting much playing time, but I am curious as much as anxious to see how well he performs for our NT. Who knows, he may solve a lot of our problems in regards to a complete striker. But for now I suppose Postiga will have to do.

I predict a 2-1 game in favor of Portugal. Not because I believe Portugal is a better team than Argentina, but just because we have solid defense right now, and they do not. This will probably mean our counter attacks can do a ton of damage.

Whatever the result, I just want to see us play like we used to, and by used to I mean 5 years ago, not 5 games again the Queiroz era.

FORCA PORTUGAL!!

5 games ago in the Queiroz era*

My mistake, I forgot we usually have bad results playing without a striker.

So, I’ll change it to this:
Eduardo/Patrício, J. Pereira, Bosingwa, Coentrão, R. Carvalho, C. Martins, Moutinho, R. Meireles, Ronaldo, Quaresma (for Nani in the 2nd half) and H. Postiga.

Posted from  Portugal

Perriera is indeed in top form for the right back. But I think I speak for all of us saying that we know what Bosingwa is capable at when he is fully fit. Him and Coentrao at each wing back position is a matchup nightmare for any team against us.

Posted from  United States

This time Meireles didn’t score a screamer, but he still scored a decisive goal against Chelsea.

Coming to the Premier League was clearly the best thing he could have ever done.

Posted from  Portugal

He really spoiled Torres’ party huh?

Posted from  United States

Funny really that Torres went to Chelsea just before meeting Liverpool And what a better way for Meireles to say “You went to the wrong club” than with a goal, hahaha?

Posted from  Portugal

Meireles is in top form right now. I wouldn’t be surprised if he became one of the best midfielders in England if he continues to play like this. 4 goals in 5 games and another stellar performance. The only thing I might be a bit worried about is that Meireles plays defensive mid in our NT, something he isnt used to in Liverpool. Hopefully this will not alter his performance for Portugal.

Meireles is in top form right now. I wouldn’t be surprised if he became one of the best midfielders in England if he continues to play like this. 4 goals in 5 games and another stellar performance. The only thing I might be a bit worried about is that Meireles plays defensive mid in our NT, something he isnt used to in Liverpool. Hopefully this will not alter his performance for Portugal.

@Tiago.
I think that Raul is versatile enough to play in pretty much anywhere in midfield, as long it’s not in the right.And personally, as much as I like Quaresma , I would’ve liked to see Varela in there simply because he needs to get some experience for the NT team and (due to him getting injuries admittedly) things haven’t quite worked out for him. How many chances must Quaresma have before we realize that he is not the player that everyone thinks he is? Also does Rolando have a cap? Seems like he goes to every game but never leaves the bench.

Ohh and striker deal…Almeida and Postiga both scored vs Spain, what more do you people want? For them to score a hat-trick every game? Then you’d focus on Nani or Ronaldo and their lack of goalscoring form.

@ Tiago. Your comment was impressive. You know your stuff.

@Miggy

Settle down. No one said they want Almeida and Postiga to score a hat trick every game. We can all agree that we need a consistent striker, and that is a fact, no matter what your opinions are.

Bento is correct by calling up Quaresma instead of Varela. Varela can barely put a decent 90 minute performance for Porto. And Quaresma is in extraordinary form right now. Plus you said Varela and his injuries are common. Do you really see Varela as an overall better player than Quaresma right now?.

Rolando does have a cap, and he plays exceptionally well for Porto, with consistent games every week. Solid centre back, great substitute for Portugal. Miggy your knowledge of the NT is lacking.

If anyone does not agree with this comment, I suggest you do your homework.

Rolando is really talented, but you can’t blame him for not getting many caps. He has Carvalho, Pepe, and Big Bruno in front of him, all of whom are world class. Rolando will get his time though you can count on it.

Al for the Varela/Quaresma debate, many people assume that since Quaresma has been out of the NT for the last few years and doesn’t play at a “glorified” club in a big country, that he is over the hill. The truth is that he is playing every game at a high level over in Turkey, and is proving that he still has what is needed in the tank to make the NT. Now, I’m not saying you guys think that way, and Varela should definitely still be on Bento’s map, but I feel his skills and EXPERIENCE still pale in comparison to Quaresma’s at this time.

Posted from  United States

Seems Argentina will be an easier opponent for us now, because they have been sofned with many injuries.Martin Demichelis, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain and Gabriel Heinze are out of the squad due to injuries. And apparently Messi is not training with the group because he too has complications with his leg.

Posted from  Canada

I don’t know… Argentina’s coach is hiding the strategy for the game ;P

Posted from  Portugal

Up until the moment Bento called up Ricardo Costa to replace injured Ricardo Carvalho I was thinking what a great squad PB has managed to assemble here (overlooking the fact Veloso has had little to no play-time at Genova)! I do hope it’s just to help out during the training sessions (but then again I had the same hopes during the WC saga and we all know how that turned out).

Not long ago I remember reading an article in Spanish newspaper Marca with a head-line the likes of: “Ronaldo is a great winger but a superb striker”. He has indeed proven to be a formidable striker, with that killer instinct you won’t find in any other player on this squad. I can easily see him up front with Nani and Quaresma as his wing-mans. That said… I prefer him on the wing. And would start him off that way with Nani on the opposite wing. Almeida to start subbed by Postiga. Nani subbed by Quaresma at some point.

With both Pepe and Carvs injured the most likely center-back duo is now Bruno Alves & Rolando. They make me nervous because both are prone to committing fouls to close to our box. And with Messi on the pitch… oh dear. Considering Bosingwa’s current form I’d stick with the original formula: Coentrao & Pereira.

Benfica plays so much better with Martins. Moutinho’s work-rate is just unbelievable and Meireles has been nothing less then superb at Liverpool. They definitely should form our midfield trio.

And so we arrive at our goal-line. Who should stand guard? At the end of the WC this question was so easily answered I’m surprised at my hesitation. If you look at all 3 goal-keepers track-record THIS season you simply rule out Eduardo. 1 Second to scratch his name, wouldn’t even blink. But the fact is I’m clinging to some reminiscent belief he’s still the same keeper with the same awesome skills. Everyone is. So he will probably start. So I will probably be uneasy when an apparently harmless ball heads our goal-keepers way… So I must probably confess I’d prefer Patricio. There. I’ve said it.

Posted from  Portugal

With Pepe and Carvalho out, and Bruno Alves, Rolando and a possible Ricardo Costa substitute, our defense may not be as complete as I had originally thought. I have no predictions as to what will happen now against Argentina lol

Everything else we have to offer is great at this point. I also did some research about the Ronaldo playing striker, and I have to say I wouldnt mind it at all now. If Quaresma, Ronaldo, and Nani are our attacking force on the field, with Ronaldo as striker, I must say it may be one of the best attacking forces we have had ever. Bento should experiment and see what happens. If it turns out for the better, I would say this should be our lineup for 2012.

———–Eduardo/Rui Patricio———–
–Bosingwa—Pepe—–Carvalho—Coentrao-
—————-Raul Meireles————-
—-Carlos Martins——Joao Moutinho—–
–Nani——–C.Ronaldo——-Quaresma—-

I think we can all agree this is one hell of a packed 11 for us, and it may bring us success. But in any case, I believe Bento knows what he is doing.

FORCA PORTUGAL!