With Euro 2016 reaching its climax, Wednesday evening will see the world’s 2 most expensive players go face to face in a mouth-watering semi-final. The titanic encounter will take place at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon. This match has been billed as the battle between the two most influential Galacticos of Real Madrid today. The global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, versus the world’s most expensive player Gareth Bale, promises to be an explosive affair that will keep onlookers on tenterhooks.
The path to the semi-finals has been starkly different for Wales and Portugal. Wales have been the trailblazing pace-setters of Euro 2016, putting in remarkable displays en route to the semis. An unlucky group stage defeat to England is the only blip on the radar, in an otherwise fantastic campaign. Their impressive comeback victory against Belgium in the quarter-finals got the team earning rave reviews and consideration as serious challengers for the title.
Portugal have been average at best, and yet luck seems to be their courtesan for Euro 2016. Despite not winning a single game in 90 minutes, and winning only one out of two in 120 minutes, Portugal have somehow managed to make it through to the semi-finals.
They have only provided moments of inspiration in otherwise insipid displays and have rarely looked like title contenders. However, having made it this far, expect the Portuguese to put up a strong fight to have a shot at the title on Sunday. Let’s take a look at 5 players who will influence tomorrow’s game.
1) Cristiano Ronaldo
The footballing world’s most marketable face, Cristiano Ronaldo is the biggest superstar playing in Euro 2016. The Portuguese superstar, much like his counterpart Lionel Messi, has won everything at club level but is yet to reciprocate the success at club level on the international stage. Ronaldo is not getting younger and knows Euro 2016 might be a godsend opportunity to make his mark.
Ronaldo’s Euro 2016 thus far has been a bit of a hit and miss. Tepid displays against Iceland and Austria, including a crucial penalty miss against the latter were followed by a brilliant individual performance against Hungary. Ronaldo scored two and assisted one in that match to haul Portugal on level terms having fallen behind thrice.
However, he seems to have lost that bit of magic in the knockout stages again. Against both Poland and Croatia, Ronaldo was hardly noticeable on the pitch and did nothing to justify his claim to being one of the world’s best. Come Wednesday, Portuguese fans will be anxiously hoping Ronaldo re-discovers his flair and gives them a reason to celebrate.
2) Renato Sanches
It is not easy to have the whole world’s scrutiny on you as a tender 18-year-old. The scrutiny is due to Renato Sanches’ expensive transfer to Bayern Munich. With a transfer fee that is reported to be close to €80 million depending upon performance based fees, a lot is expected from the Portuguese starlet. From first impressions, it does seem as though Sanches has handled the pressure well and has taken it in his stride.
Although not selected for a starting role by Fernando Santos for the first few matches, Sanches’ performances as an impact substitute convinced the coach to start him against Poland, a move that paid rich dividends, as Sanches’ goal brought back parity after Robert Lewandowski had given the Poles a lead.
The creative midfielder, who ideally likes to play down the centre but has been deployed down the flanks for Portugal, has added a much-needed spark to the side. Portugal fans will be hoping for a similar display from their starlet on Wednesday.
3) Pepe
Portugal fans will have a hard time recollecting solid defensive displays from their national side in the years gone by, since Euro 2004. Often touted as the team’s weakest link, the defence has always been subject to criticism for being the major let-down for an otherwise impressive team performance.
However, Euro 2016 seems to have changed all of that and it is primarily because of their defence that Portugal have progressed to the semi-finals. Apart from a shoddy display against Hungary, Portugal’s defence, marshalled by Pepe, have done exceedingly well against some of Europe’s formidable attackers.
Euro 2016 has marked Pepe’s coming of age, with his transformation from a rash and impulsive defender, to one measured in the tackle and with an eye for spotting danger and snuffing it out. Pepe has led an inexperienced defence ably, making crucial tackles and keeping opposition strikers of Robert Lewandowski and Mario Madzukic’s calibre relatively silent. Portugal will be relying on Pepe to shut out Bale and co. for their dream run to continue.
4) Gareth Bale
A walk in for this list, Bale has been the catalyst behind Wales’ fantastic, and completely unforeseen run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016. Before Bale’s rise to prominence, many Welsh fans had resigned themselves to the fact that John Charles and his legendary Welsh team of the fifties was a part of Welsh folklore, never to be repeated again. The likes of Ian Rush, Gary Speed and Ryan Giggs had tried and failed to make a mark with Wales on the international stage. But Bale’s advent has changed all of that, and how.
The Real Madrid winger has been in sublime form in Euro 2016, scoring 3 goals in 5 games. However, his performances cannot be measured solely on the basis of goals scored, since with his direct running at a blistering pace, Bale draws defenders towards him, and opens up acres of space for his team-mates. He is a prolific creator of chances and 4 man of the match awards in 5 matches are a testament to his absolute necessity in the Welsh setup.
5) Ashley Williams
With Wales’ Euro 2016 campaign firmly focussing on the exploits of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, much of the good work done in defence by captain Ashley Williams has gone largely unnoticed. The 31-year-old centre-back who plies his trade with Swansea City in the English Premier League has led his team with valour and determination, and dispelled many notions regarding the limited nature of a captain’s role in football.
Unlike the stars in the team, Williams prefers to do his job quietly in the background. However one look at his statistics for Euro 2016, will leave observers bamboozled as to why he has not been scouted by Europe’s top clubs till now. In 5 matches, the strong centre-back has made 1.2 tackles, 2 interceptions, 7.6 clearances and 1.4 blocks per match at Euro 2016, figures which would make the elite defenders at Euro 2016 proud.
Come Wednesday, Welsh fans will be hoping that their inspirational captain puts up another solid display to dispel the threat of Ronaldo and co.
