Portugal’s most important player

Luis, another great post! I think this one will generate allot of discussion.
Like you said Figo isn’t the same player he used to be, even though he is still an important part of the team, but he can be replaced.
Deco can be replaced by Rui Costa and Taigo, either alone or working in tandom.
It’s Carvalho and Ronaldo that I think we haven’t really got capable replacements for. But if I had to lose one of them, then I’d say Carvalho because defense is a teamwork position as much as individual talent. But how do you replace someone as dangerous and creative as Ronaldo??

Posted from  Canada

I don’t think Deco could be replace by Rui Costa or Tiago. Rui Costa could replace him for a few minutes on the game but not in a entire World Cup and Tiago don’t have the same offensive power. I see Tiago as a better replacement to Maniche.

Overall I really don’t know. Maybe Figo for his leadership. At the same time, we can’t afford loosing another excellent defender.

In the attack, we’d miss C Ronaldo the most. He’s brilliant, young and robust. Just needs to mature and when he does (if he does) the world will truelly fear him. Pauleta scored a lot but CR scored more than half. He was in all 3 goals against Saudi Arabia. He’s the first winger/striker we have in a long time. The team never really scores when it’s needed and he can be both creating havoc to gain the line (the winger’s classic role) OR wait for a crutial cross from Figo or a killer pass from Deco, while Pauleta lures the enemy’s defenders.

I mean… So much could be said… I don’t want to loose any of them…

Posted from  Netherlands

What’s your (everybody’s) opinion about the role and importance of Costinha?

Posted from  Netherlands

If you look at Italy, nobody can replace a talent like Totti, especially since the whole team is designed around him. But, when you look at their performances without him, you’d be surprised to see that they’ve played very very well in his absence.
It’s made them rely less on one player and play more as a team. And they are a better team because of it.
As much as we don’t want to loose any of our key players, playing a team concept helps fill any void.
The bottom line is I also don’t want to loose any of them. Matter of fact it would be nice to maybe add a few jems to an already great team.

Posted from  Canada

Pedro, he’s our Gatusso isn’t he?

Posted from  Canada

Pedro, about Costinha i’m really concerned. But at least Petit is a good replacement.

Ceasar, about Totti, you can’t forget that Del Piero is his replacement and he’s doing great this season.

Luis, your right Del Piero is doing a great job as a replacement but even he admits he not the same type of player.

About Costinha, yes he’s important and a key element in the team but like Pedro said Petit is a capable replacemnt. So less danger if he’s hit by an injury.

Posted from  Canada

I admit I’m a Costinha fan. I’d say Petit is more like Gatuso. Strong and warrior (Gatuso would even tackle his own mother)…

Costinha, Maniche and Deco, not only won the champions league together with FCPorto & Mourinho, they make a formidable triangle. Formidable because it’s very versatile. Costinha and Maniche side by side and Deco up front directing it, Costinha in the back holding it, Deco attacking and Maniche backing him, Costinha holding the midfield and the other two generating unbalance. You name it…

He’s less moblie than all the others, acting sometimes like a fake defender but allowing the right and left back to move up (fake 3 4 3 when in possession). Sometimes he appears out of the blue and kicks it hard, or goes for a header in a corner. More than once he’s decided a match.

But his bigest strength is that he’s brilliant placing himslef and understanding the game. He’s, for me, the defense’s maestro. Like Deco is the attack’s. Plus, he’s got the character to be 2nd captain. He’s a coach in the pitch.

OK, maybe I exagerate… What do you think?

Posted from  Netherlands

Wow!!! Sign me up, I’m a believer.. Right now I’d buy swamp land from you..
Come on Pedro, tell us what you really think.. haha

Posted from  Canada

I did… I like the guy. But I wanted to know what everybody else thinks.

Thanks for calling me a bullsh#t artist, Ceaser… I wish I could convince my boss…

Posted from  Netherlands

On the contrary Pedro, you made a great arguement for each of them individualy and as a collective unit.
I never noticed they had such chemistry together. Mostly because here in Canada I don’t get to see much of the Portuguese Super Liga games just the occasional highlight.
I’m going to have to breakdown and get a dish!
I’m just hoping that I can get the WC games in high def…

Posted from  Canada

After EC04, Maniche and Costinha went to Moscow. Deco was smarter and went to Barcelona. Things didn’t work out well for the guys in Russia, Maniche was cleaver to leave the boat and is now in Chelsea. Costinha is not playing now. I mean he played for POR against S Arabia and nobody would say he hasn’t been playing… But it was also a friendly match.

The team also plays well without Costinha. Petit can do the same and is arguably better at passing. Tiago can easily replace Maniche as well and has been playing top form with Lyon.

C Ronaldo is the most dangerous, Figo is the leader, but Deco has the ability of allowing the front guys to use fully their qualities. That’s why he’s magic!

Posted from  Netherlands

Deco, Ronaldo, Pauleta, FIgo, Caneira, Ricardo, Quaresma, Costinha, Petit, Simão, Miguel, Carvalho and Tonel ! Yes…TONEL ! she should be in the 1º eleven ! really ! he very good !

Posted from  Portugal

The thought of losing any more of our guys makes me ill. We need them all at their best to pull it off. But if I had to pick the most important player, I would without hesitation select Deco. He’s the fulcrum for the team. So many great breakouts start with the ball at Deco’s feet. Ronaldo followed by Pauleta are certainly the most dangerous players but it all starts with a smooth transition from defense to offense. PT is still formidable without Deco, but the flow and rythmn of their play simply isn’t the same.

Of course none of the creative attacking play would possible without a fantastic back 4. Carvalho is definitely in the running for best in the world, but how can you pick just one? I admire P. Ferreira for his heart. He left every ounce of his blood on the pitch against Barcalona.

Posted from  United States

I think Pauleta is Portugal’s most important player. My reason is relatively simple. Portugal’s main problem during the golden generation was that they did not have a world class striker. They probably had the best midfield in the world, but never could translate that into goals.

As a striker with Portugal, Pauleta has always put up impressive numbers for the big tournament buildup, as well as in his domestic league. But when it came to the big tournaments (Euro and World Cup), he has been largely invisible, and Portugal’s play has suffered as a result.

If Portugal is to be a success in the World Cup, they need a striker who will find space and put the ball in the net. Pauleta has proven he is capable of that. Let’s hope he can continue his current form into the World Cup. If so, I think Portugal can go far into the World Cup.

Posted from  Canada

Ben,
I agree. For Portugal to win it, Pauleta must score and score often. That would have made the difference in Euro2004.

Posted from  United States

Portugal will win!

Posted from  Australia

Christiano Ronaldo ROCKS!! He’s Hot

Posted from  United Kingdom

they’re hot ya’ know!

Posted from  Indonesia