Portugal v Luxembourg Preview

August 10th, 2011 | by: Paulo |

5078388118_c2a16db301 I know Luxembourg wasn’t our idea of a solid tune up going into the final stretch of Euro qualifying games where our place is anything but assured, however this friendly is more important than most. Its been over two months since our national team played together, the last being the huge 1-0 win over Norway, and it will take some time to gel. Playing against a sub par team might be what we need at this point. Paulo Bento didn’t pick almost the exact same line up by accident, so his main goal is obviously to build team cohesion. Luckily our guys haven’t sustained any injuries, so Bento can pick about the exact same team that he has chosen for the last few games which is awesome. I’m not saying that it is good that we are playing an average team at best, but I think it will boost our confidence with a convincing win at Algarve later today.

Another added attraction to this friendly is the fact that Luxembourg was drawn into our World Cup 2014 Qualifying group. This means of course that we will have two very important games against them over the next 3 years and it doesn’t hurt to get a head start and become familiar with our group F foes.

As for the squad Bento called up, I suspect the same XI as usual.

Perierra—-Carvalho—Pepe—-Coentrao
Micael—-Meireles—-Moutinho
Ronaldo—-Postiga—-Nani

It is very interesting to me that Real Madrid has used Coentrao almost always in the midfield during the preseason and that Fabio has played great there. I’m not saying its time to shake up the Sellecao line up now, but the truth is I think Coentao would greatly out perform Martins or Micael in the last midfield spot. Then I would put Nelson or Sivio in at left back, who are both good options. Postiga will get the start most likely, but Nuno Gomes very well may come on as a substitute to see if he can capture some of the magic we know he possesses. Varela and Bruno Alves will also probably get a look as the game advances.

And no, I didn’t forget about the goalkeeper, but I have mixed feelings here. Eduardo has moved back to Benfica over the offseason and he has been playing behind Artur. If Eduardo cannot get onto the field week in and week out there is no doubt his spot is in jeopardy to Rui Patricio. I think Rui will get the start today, but both will probably get 45’ of action.

As for the gameplay goes, I expect an easy 3-0 victory. I don’t know too much about Luxembourg, but they will probably defend hard and counter when they can, so we will need to have some decent strings of play to score. Forca Portugal!!

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Comments

By João | August 10th, 2011 at 9:04 am

Silvio is able to play left back if necessary, so moving Coentrão up to the midfield instead of Martins could work.

@Tiago & Ivan;
Thanks for your assessment on how poorly the U-20 team played.

Posted from Netherlands

By Tiago | August 10th, 2011 at 9:21 am

LOL Paulo your midfield predictions are ridiculous! Carlos Martins wasnt called up like you taught me in the previous post! Ahaha but all jokes aside, Martins wont be playing today but I can probably guess it will be Andre Santos in DM, and then Moutinho and Meireles. Or of course the most likely it’ll be Meireles, Moutinho, and Micael. But god I hate Micael, I cant wait till he slips up and doesnt get playing time for some time. Hes so inconsistent it baffles me…But anyways lets see how our Seleccao perform and FORCA PORTUGAL!

By Paulo | August 10th, 2011 at 9:34 am

Wow, how did I miss that one? lol good call Tiago. Andre Santos is definitely a good option. A great young player that can hopefully add some freshness to the midfield. But, like I said I wouldn’t mind seeing Coentrao used in the midfield for a little while Martins is out. Even though we need to gel as a team, you need to take the advantage of a friendly and try things out as well. Castro is another option after a great year last year on loan. Some one needs to step up.

By João | August 10th, 2011 at 3:52 pm

I find Portugal very sloppy but because we’re facing Luxembourg its rather hard to judge the performance (I watched the first half of Spain vs Italy, Italy looked very impressive)
So FPF & Bento (assuming he has some influence on this) next time try to arraign a better opponent.

Posted from Netherlands

By ahmad | August 10th, 2011 at 4:58 pm

5-0…. nice
wanted to watch the match hope the highlights will be on youtube soon.

Posted from Russian Federation

By Paulo | August 10th, 2011 at 8:46 pm

does anyone know where I can watch a replay of the game?

By João | August 11th, 2011 at 2:37 am

http://forum.rojadirecta.es/showthread.php?133758-FUTBOL-Amistoso-Portugal-vs.-Luxenburgo-10-08-11

Rojadirecta is the place to be for sporting live streams and full match replays.

Posted from Netherlands

By Tiago | August 12th, 2011 at 11:10 pm

Where is the review?

By Ivan | August 13th, 2011 at 8:02 pm

The U20s beat Argentina on penalties and I must say, I’m quite impressed! They were a lot better than in the game against Guatemala and shown to be on equal foot with Argentina, if not better, because they created better opportunities than them.

I really lost hope when Portugal was losing 1-3 on penalty kicks, but successful kicks from our side and MOST IMPORTANTLY, a WALL called Mika (our GK) saved all but one shot after that!

Portugal’s in the semi-finals, how would you know, uh? Now we’ll play with the winner of the France-Nigeria game and I must say, our defense is superb! The attack’s effectiveness is still down, but the U20s haven’t let in one goal in the net yet.

Posted from Portugal

By Paulo | August 13th, 2011 at 8:07 pm

that was one hell of a penalty shootout!!!! Review coming soon!

By ahmad | August 13th, 2011 at 9:20 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4_bUs2bZ5g

if anyone is can’t wait to watch the shootout even if it’s in bad quality …. then here’s the link…. again i missed the game maybe i should the semi as well if that means portugal are winning … looks like i’m some sort of jinx or something :S

forca portugalllllllllll

Posted from France

By João | August 14th, 2011 at 2:35 am

I admit I only watched the last 25 minutes of the first half and I thought the entire match was awful: Portugal defended like Greece and only played attacking long balls to the forwards like English style football. I decided to sleep instead of watching the 2nd half.

Ivan does the game get any better in the 2nd half and extra-time? Or should I simply watch the penalty shoot out.

Posted from Netherlands

By Ivan | August 14th, 2011 at 6:05 am

Portugal did defend very well against Argentina, but Argentina was really only better in ball possession, Portugal created some very good opportunities, not only from long football.

I actually only watched the 1st half (just wasn’t able to watch the 2nd and extra-time, despite wanting), and I did read that the game got worse in the 2nd time. The extra-time isn’t worth of watching much, so yeah, you can go straight to the penalties.

Posted from Portugal

By ahmad | August 14th, 2011 at 8:01 pm

looks like we’re up against France …. can’t wait!!! hope we see a good performance from the lads, let’s not think about the final until we actually reach it (this is one hard lesson i learned from cheering for Portugal from 8 years till now)

Posted from France

By Margaret | August 15th, 2011 at 2:06 am

wooow, like your things round Portugal v Luxembourg Preview – Portugal

By Ivan | August 15th, 2011 at 7:06 am

France will be one of the toughest bones to bite in this WC. I’ll be prepared for either the success or failure in the game against the french.

Posted from Portugal

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