Portugal potentially have the deepest talent pool in their history.
Yet the Seleção must deal with the decline of the greatest Portuguese player of all time.
The smell of the World Cup, surely his last, can wake up Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Lusitanians will need it to go to the end.
The story
“Less Ronaldo, more Portugal.
The daily A Bola did not spare the fivefold Golden Ball in its September 26 issue.
Author of five goals during Euro 2021, CR7 has scored only twice in his last nine selections and his influence is diminishing at the forefront of the Portuguese attack.
Portugal team form
Armed for the title, Fernando Santos' team confirmed their difficulties in keeping a score during their last outing.
Against Spain, she fell after the hour mark before cracking in the 88th minute (0-1).
A goal synonymous with non-qualification for the Final Four of the League of Nations.
A draw would have been enough.
Three days earlier, the Lusitanians' big victory against the Czech Republic (4-0) indicated that the squad is full of players who are more effective in possession of the ball than when they are deprived of it.
The double of Diogo Dalot, in the fight with Joao Cancelo for the position of right side, also testifies to the presence of danger on each floor of the collective.
The list of Portuguese selected
The most notable absence from this list is undoubtedly that of Parisian Renato Sanches, left behind by Fernando Santos while his teammates Danilo Pereira, Nuno Mendes and Vitinha will all be on the trip.
The pillars of the Seleçao are, apart from that, all there: Cristiano Ronaldo, of course, but also Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva or Bruno Fernandes.
Lots of very, very nice people.
Goalkeepers:
Costa (FC Porto), Sá (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC), Rui Patrício (AS Roma)
Defenders:
Dalot (Manchester United), Cancelo (Manchester City), Danilo Pereira (PSG), Pepe (FC Porto), Dias (Manchester City), Silva (SL Benfica), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund)
Midfielders:
Palhinha (Fulham FC), Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), João Mário (SL Benfica), Nunes (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC), Otávio (FC Porto), Vitinha (PSG), William Carvalho (Real Betis)
Forwards:
André Silva (RB Leipzig), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Ramos (SL Benfica), Félix (Atlético Madrid), Leão (AC Milan), Horta (SC Braga)
The probable composition
LP
The individualities of the Seleção impress more than the strength released by its collective.
Ronaldo's presence at the forefront dampens the likelihood of Portugal pressing high.
Behind, Rúben Dias, Danilo Pereira or Pepe, make up a solid hinge.
Cancelo and Nuno Mendes form a formidable pair of full-backs.
In front, a lot of beautiful people and choices to be made for the coach.
Leao, in great shape with Milan, could thus take a place on the left in the coach's 4-2-3-1.
Player to watch: Bruno Fernandes
On March 29, 2022, Bruno Fernandes celebrates his second goal against Macedonia at the Estadio do Dragao (Porto).
Spinnaker / Icon Sport
The Portuguese press claims that Santos cut him the leader's costume.
Although he is not going through the best period of his club career, the 28-year-old attacking midfielder has already proven his ability to turn a team around.
This was the case upon his arrival at Manchester United in 2020. Always available, Bruno Fernandes is constantly looking for the pass that hurts.
On arrival, the captain of MU created a lot of waste.
But if Portugal sometimes lacks inspiration, he can find the solution.
Portugal match schedule
