Fastgoal.com <World Cup 2018> - Group B - Portugal Team Review

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Portugal

FIFA World Ranking: 4
Qualifying Average Goals Per Match: 3.20
Qualifying Average Goals Against Per Match: 0.40
Qualifying Top Scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo (15)
World Cup Best Performance: Third Place (1966)

Group B Opponents: Iran, Morocco and Spain.


The Manager: Fernando Santos
A rugged defender in his playing days, Santos has crafted a side in his own image. Under Santos Portugal are tough to break down and rely largely on Cristiano Ronaldo to do the damage at the other end of the pitch. A league winning manager at Porto, he took charge of Portugal in 2014 and has amassed an impressive 32 wins in 48 games including of course success lifting the 2016 European Championships.


The Squad:
The fact that a large percentage of the squad ply their trade in the top European leagues of England, Spain and Italy is testament to the quality possessed by this group of players.

If there is a weakness to the Portugal side it is a lack of pace in defence. Experienced trio; Jose Fonte, Pepe and Bruno Alves possess plenty of know-how, but at 34, 35 and 36 respectively, they certainly aren’t getting any quicker. Portugal’s deep-lying style does negate the threat of the ball over the top though.

Ronaldo does undoubtedly still represent the sides most significant attacking threat, but with the emergence of Andre Silva – who contributed nine goals in qualifying – up front, and the fact that Bernardo Silva will be fit for this tournament, he will perhaps have more support than has been the case in previous years.

Ronaldo is just about as irreplaceable a player as you can get but even he won’t be around for ever. Those looking for the next Portuguese superstar should keep an eye out for Goncalo Guedes. The 21 year old has enjoyed a stellar season with Valencia, earing rave reviews in the Spanish press and looks the brightest prospect since CR7 himself.


Star Man: Cristiano Ronaldo
Five times winner of the Ballon d’Or, five times winner of the Champions League, whether he is the best or second best player on the planet is a matter for others to debate. What is beyond any doubt though is that he is the player most crucial to Portugal’s success. The countries all-time top goal-scorer was once again prolific in qualifying and will be eager to shine in the limelight once again.


Outlook:
They may not be the most attractive side to watch at times, but as ever you can’t really argue with results. Together with Switzerland they dominated their qualifying section, conceding just 4 times in ten games. We like the look of Spain in this group, but in Ronaldo. Portugal possess a weapon that Iran and Morocco simply can’t match, and they should do enough to escape what looks one of the tougher Groups in the tournament.


Group B Prediction: http://fastgoal.com/forum/index.php?topic=2451.0

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