Switzerland - Portugal Preview

With the game having little meaning for Portugal's aspirations, i will leave you with the starting 11 I would chose.



I would keep Ricardo in goal, for one, he's level of fatigue is nowhere close to the rest of the starters, and in case of a goalie, the more reps you get the better it is for you, especially when Ricardo seems to be lacking some confidence, off course if Quim was there, it would be a different story.
Miguel is Bosingwa's natural substitute, his arrival at camp in less than ideal physical conditions deterred him from fighting for the starting position.
In the center of the defense, I would keep Pepe, to solidify the sector. I'm not saying that Meira and Alves wouldn't be a strong tandem, but i just think that it would be ideal to keep at least one of the starting center backs in the line up, this also helps him gain minutes along side of Meira and in front of Ricardo. If you recall, Pepe had very little minutes for the national team up into the start of the Euro. I would rest Carvalho, not only for the reasons i just mentioned, but also because Carvalho has had a much arduous season than Pepe. In for Carvalho it'd be Meira, it would seem odd that a player that played the entire 06 WC would take a seat on the bench in a game where Scolari will rest the majority of the players. On the left, i'd give Jorge Ribeiro the start to get a feel on how he would fare, Ferreira is not a true left back, Ribeiro is, give him the minutes and see how it goes.

In midfield, Veloso for Petit, as Petit is a workhorse and needs that all important rest, Veloso is his natural substitute. Meireles has already seen minutes, I'd put him in Moutinho's spot and move Moutinho up to the 10 slot. Despite being one of the players that works the most, and that has the most minutes of the 07/08 season in his legs, Moutinho is young and can handle it, besides, with Deco most likely sitting, who else could play that role?

On the wings, Nani and Quaresma would be my choice, i'm sure they will be Scolari's also. Up front Hugo Almeida would get the start for me, as he will need minutes, as he is always the first candidate to come off the bench, when Portugal requires an extra forward, let him get the minutes, and hopefully build some confidence.

All and all, Scolari's 11 might not be too far from this one. But don't think that Scolari won't issue a warning to these players. Against Georgia most of these players, played in the second half, and Scolari was not happy with their individualistic play. Another display of that sort, in this valuable opportunity, can very well relegate one of these players to eternal sub for the remainder of the tournament.

Memories of Sergio Conceicao's 3 goals against Germany in Euro 2000, in a game that had very little meaning for Portugal come to mind. Who will rise to the occasion?


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