Portugal vs Iceland - preview

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- Latest events

PORTUGAL

·         After starting qualification with a humiliating loss at home against Albania, Portugal’s Fa decided to replace Paulo Bento with Fernando Santos, and with fantastic results, a perfect record for the new manager and a secure qualification in the end.   

·         Not only that, former Greece national manager also revamped the system that Portugal displays on the pitch, from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 where the strikers are free roles like Ronaldo and Nani or Quaresma.      

·         Portugal also showed great defensive quality, rarely conceding, and holding off England for more than an hour whilst with 10 man. Promises of a great Euro for Ronaldo and his teammates.      

ICELAND

·         Lars Lagerback will be retiring, after making history in qualifying Iceland for the first time for a big competition, after coming close in 2014.    

·         In a very competitive and open qualification group, that saw Holland be eliminated, the Icelandic were one of the good highlights, with a physical and attacking football that creates a lot of problems.   

·         They lack experience, and that might be a problem, but motivation will not be an issue, and starting with a win will be in their heads. Not an easy task, but they did beat Holland twice.      

- Expected Lineups

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- Areas to follow

PORTUGAL

·         Defense

 At 38, Ricardo Carvalho got back on the team after Paulo Bento’s dismissal, and has imposed himself again. Never known for his speed, rather his positioning and anticipation, he’s the perfect pair for the more volatile and active Pepe. With very offensive wingers that know how to defend, and Danilo coming from the midfield to add height, Portugal has built a solid back that gives safety going forward.  

·         Midfield

There’s a big question whether Santos will play with the more defensive Danilo or the elegant William. Both are tall, being helpful for defensive purposes, but the Sporting is better with the ball, and Porto’s without it. João Mário and Moutinho are assured with the left side midfield position being disputed by André Gomes and Adrien, but all three ahead of the defensive-midfielder will be changing position, playing between the opponent’s defensive lines and trying to find the two man ahed.

·         Attack

Quaresma showed he seems a better partner for Ronaldo in this new Portugal system, but he felt a little knock in training so Santos should opt for Nani, a great player as well, but whose form is clearly irregular, while Quaresma light up Estádio da Luz in the 7-0 thrashing just before the Euro. And with Ronaldo, Portugal is always likely to score   

             

ICELAND

·            Defense

 A tall and secure back line, with typical Nordic defenders, and a great goalkeeper in their back. Halldorsson was one of the highlights in the qualification, but he got injured in his shoulder during the season, and is still looking to come back on form. And he will have to, to face the likes of Ronaldo and Nani

·             Midfield

  The central nerve of Iceland, the duo that makes thing happen defensively and offensively, with Gunnarson and Sigurdsson, two players that improved immensely since arriving to Cardiff and Swansea, respectively. Through the wings, two players that like to have the ball on their feet, have a powerful long shot, and are very strong physically.

·             Attack

 Sigthorsson and Finnbogason are two very tall and large players that look a bit awkward, but they certainly are no strangers to taking an extra touch to find some space. And, naturally due to their size, they are also a great aerial threat, and they can impose themselves in the rival’s penalty area.

- FIL’S VERDICT

  In an historic day for Iceland, they feel they could’ve done better than to have to take on Cristiano Ronaldo in their debut. But this Icelandic bunch, led by a Swede never face away from a challenge and they will battle with everything they got.

 Santos knows his team his a bit behind in height, and might go for Eliseu for left-back as a counter to that, but whomever he chooses is expected to be an attacking outlet that will necessarily have to come and help as the wingers aren’t wingers any more.

 Portugal has been doing well in this new system, not as exciting in previous years, but certainly more effective, and they know the importance of starting with a win. Iceland has to deal with starter nerves, and knows there’s two more games after. They’ll try to go and get something from this, but Portugal is looking fierce.

FIL’S PREDICTION

PORTUGAL 2-0 ICELAND