3) Portugal were too one-dimensional
Let’s face it, Portugal are not the best team any of us have seen at Euro 2016 this summer and at the risk of attracting the ire of their fans, it seems clear that they are not going to win this competition – especially of Fernando Santos’ charges keep playing without the necessary incision.
There are plenty of teams better than them left in this competition, and it is no coincidence that they have not been able to put away any opponent in normal time so far. If they come up against a team fresher, better rested and more clinical, they are likely to go home empty-handed yet again.
In terms of creating chances, they have been very poor and that is going to cause them problems. Too often they looked to find Ronaldo when the pass wasn’t on, had to be inch-perfect to work or when there were better options available. It was almost as if getting the former Ballon d’Or winner on the ball was their go-to gameplan, and they looked confused and impotent when that failed to work – which it did most of the time.
Overall, they have been far too defensive, seemingly playing for added time and spot kicks when they should be looking to be more adventurous with their approach play. Their supporters will say ‘if it ‘aint broke, don’t fix it’ but they are sure to need to conjure more assured tactics when they eventually square up to a real tournament specialist if they want to take home the Henri Delaunay trophy on July 10.
They’re not good enough to rely on defence and will be feeling the effects of two periods of extra time. It’s going to catch up with them.
