World Cup 2018 Preview - Portugal

Team: Portugal

Manager: Fernando Santos

Group: B

Other teams in group: Spain, Morocco, Iran

THE SQUAD

Portugal certainly have had plenty of big names to choose between for their squad for Russia. There are 19 clubs from 10 different leagues represented in the 23 man squad. The bulk of the squad play in some of the top leagues in Europe while there is only room for six players who play their football in the domestic Portuguese League Liga Nos.

The squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Beto (Goztepe), Rui Patricio (Sporting)

Defenders: Bruno Alves (Rangers), Cedric Soares (Southampton), Jose Fonte (Dalian Yifang), Mario Rui (Napoli), Pepe (Besiktas), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund), Ricardo Pereira (Porto), Ruben Dias (Benfica)

Midfielders: Adrien Silva (Leicester), Bruno Fernandes (Sporting), Joao Mario (West Ham), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Manuel Fernandes (Lokomotiv Moscow), William Carvalho (Sporting)

Forwards: Andre Silva (AC Milan), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Gelson Martins (Sporting), Goncalo Guedes (Valencia), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas).

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Portugal qualified after beating Switzerland 2-0 in their final game as both sides came close to securing top spot after winning 9 out of 10 games. The reigning European Champions started their campaign suffering a 2-0 defeat in their first qualification game against runners up Switzerland which came as a surprise following their European success but even that was a surprise, they like surprise’s do Portugal!

Following that defeat Portugal got their act together in their remaining group games and swept aside Hungary, Faroe Islands, Latvia and Andorra before beating Switzerland 2-0 in their last game of qualification securing their World Cup spot by virtue of goal difference.

"I always thought it was possible," Santos said after his side defeated Switzerland. "I had confidence in my players and luckily they gave me this gift. When you have quality and organisation you are always closer to winning. This team came back to play very well, with good ball control. Not all of the 90 minutes were perfect but fortunately we won and we are in Russia. There is a perfect symbiosis between coach and players, I always believe in my players. It is not easy to have 25 players with this mindset and it creates a fantastic environment. I believe in our work, in the work of the technical team and in the work of the federation. It is this collaboration that gives us this result."

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR

Cristiano Ronaldo

Arguably Portugal’s best player, the 2017 Ballon d’Or winner will certainly have a point to prove at this year’s World Cup as it may prove to be the 33 year old forward’s last. Ronaldo’s form does not seem to be dipping anytime soon however as the forward has scored 26 goals in this year’s La Liga competition and also notched an additional 15 goals in the Champions League making him the top goalscorer in the competition.

The Portuguese Captain was also able to hit the mark for his side scoring 15 goals in the qualification stages, the most by any Portuguese player in the squad and the most by any Portuguese player ever. Ronaldo made his debut back in 2003 and will reach over 150 appearances during what will be his 4th World Cup campaign and will be hoping that this will not be his World Cup swansong.

Andre Silva

Scoring his first senior international goal in an emphatic 6-0 defeat of Andorra, Andre Silva is a name to keep an eye on during the World Cup. Second to Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of goal scoring ability during qualifying, the striker notched 9 goals in 10 games and at 22 years of age is looking promising to be a top striker at the competition. We may see Silva as a backup front man as Ronaldo rules the roost up front for his side but based on his performance in qualifying and being a strong physical striker who loves a header, Silva could be a deadly addition to his national side.

Pepe

Now at 35 years of age, the no nonsense Centre Back is now applying his trade in Turkey playing for Besiktas, this looks to be his final World Cup but with his style of play can easily make it to the next one in four years’ time. Pepe may be a great centre back and possess fantastic leadership, but his discipline is a massive let down – 128 career yellow cards and 3 straight red cards is not a great stat but is an interesting one. Pepe can be a useful player if he does not lose the plot all together and give away costly frees or even penalty’s which could hinder Portugal severely in their bid for World Cup Glory.

WHERE THEY ARE PLAYING AND STAYING

15/06: Portugal v Spain, Fisht Stadium Sochi

20/06: Portugal v Morocco, Luzhniki Stadium Moscow

25/06:  Iran V Portugal, Mordovia Arena Saransk

"It's a very deceptive and treacherous group. Portugal have to accept that we are one of the favourites but if you look in a bit more detail, you can see it's very difficult," Santos said after the draw took place for the groups. "Spain are naturally favourites, as I've always said, Morocco have scored goals and conceded none. This shows the strength of the team, there are players who have already played in Portugal, Benatia who played for Juventus, and the quality of the coach, Iran had a good qualifying campaign, the second time they are in the World Cup, have experience and the coach also, maybe one of the most experienced of this World Cup. Also had a good performance, no defeat, conceded goals only in the last game when it was already qualified. It's going to be a difficult tournament."

Portugal will be staying at the Saturn Training Centre in the Moscow suburb of Kratovo, an hour away from the Russian capital. Unlike a hotel the centre will allow the Portugal camp a dormitory, cafeteria and a building dedicated to sports and health services. The facilities include a gym, a 25-metre swimming pool, two Finnish saunas and a Turkish hammam and they will also have three football fields on the compound, two with natural grass. Their base is located 21 hours from Sochi and just 8 hours from Saransk. They will train within the grounds of the training centre.

THREE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE TEAM

This will be Portugal’s 7^th time appearing in a FIFA World Cup, their first appearance came back in 1966 which also is their best result in the competition. Portugal finished 3^rd in that year’s World Cup, losing 2-1 to eventual winners England in the Semi Final before beating the Soviet Union 2-1 in the third place playoff. 

Portugal won their first ever trophy in 2016 winning the European Championship, they could become only the second ever European team behind fellow Group B rival’s and neighbours Spain to do a European and World Cup double if they manage to win in Russia.

Portugal’s Liga Nos is the 10^th most represented league in the World Cup with 19 players coming from the league while 6 of those players will line out for Portugal, the highest represented league in the competition is the Premier League.

THEIR RECENT FORM

Portugal have a great record going into the World Cup. In their last 12 games they have only lost twice, losing 3-0 to the Netherland’s and on Penalties to Chile.

First game: The Portuguese play Spain in their opening Group B fixture on the 15th June in Sochi.