Iceland face Portugal in their opening Euro 2016 match and manager Lars Lagerback has targeted Portugal’s two most famous names ahead of the big match on Tuesday describing Pepe as “someone who could be in Hollywood” and Cristiano Ronaldo as an “excellent actor”.
Lagerback has guided Iceland to their first ever major tournament and they have impressed many with their consistent displays during qualifying. Their opening tie with Portugal promises to be a mouthwatering affair and Lagerback has raised the temperature by his explosive quotes.
“We’ve seen some Portuguese players diving,” Lagerback said. “Portugal have one of the best players in the world in Ronaldo but he’s also an excellent actor. In the final of the Champions League against Atlético, we saw another performance from someone who could be in Hollywood. I don’t like that. I’d like it if they were able to watch the videos to retrospectively punish that sort of thing.
“I mention Pepe – I mean, you can see the clips. I am sure you have seen them yourself. For me, that is acting, really, of high class. But I don’t know what demands they have in Hollywood. Maybe he can’t go in there and get a job. I’m not a professional in that area.
“I have said many, many times that the acting in football – not only in Portugal, all over the world and maybe, even, in Iceland – they should change the rules and bring in possibilities to suspend players through video after the game. It is something that should be taken away from football.” The quotes will not go down well with the Portuguese superstars and they will be looking for an opportunity to let their feet do the talking
Portugal are in a relatively easy group with group F consisting of Austria, Hungary, Iceland and themselves and they will be the favourites to top the group. Portugal have got a good mix of youth and experience with youngsters like Renato Sanches and Andre Gomes complimenting the experience of players like Moutinho, Ronaldo and Pepe.
Fernando Santos’ Portugal side will be quietly confident of making a huge impression on this Euros and Ronaldo will be looking forward to lead from the front.
