Euro 2020: 5 reasons why Portugal could win the tournament

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo

#3 Perfect blend of youth and experience at the back for Euro 2020

Manchester City's Portuguese trio
Manchester City's Portuguese trio

Portugal have a very reliable defensive unit heading into the tournament. Manchester City's Ruben Dias and veteran Pepe are expected to be partnered up at the heart of defence. Ruben Dias is coming off an excellent season with Manchester City. He was also chosen as the FWA Footballer of the Year for the 2020-21 season.

His partner Pepe is one of the most experienced centre-backs in the world. At 38 years of age, he is past his prime but continues to be a formidable presence at the back. Yet another experienced campaigner, Jose Fonte, is the third-choice centre-back.

On the right side, Joao Cancelo is expected to be first-choice. He is coming off an excellent domestic season as well. Nelson Semedo will be the backup option at right-back. Raphael Guerreiro is expected to start on the left side while talented 18-year-old Sporting Lisbon attacking full back Nuno Mendez will be his deputy.

#2 Portugal have a star studded midfield

Portugal v Azerbaijan - FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar Qualifier
Portugal v Azerbaijan - FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar Qualifier

We're going to witness quite a few intense midfield battles at Euro 2020. European giants like France, Germany, Italy and Spain have some of the world's best midfielders. Portugal's is no less.

Danilo Pereira and Joao Moutinho are excellent holding midfielders. Sporting Lisbon's Joao Palhinha is another reliable defensive midfielder.

In central midfield, Portugal have Sergio Oliveira who is coming off an excellent season with FC Porto. He was one of the best players of the 2020-21 Primeira Liga campaign, scoring 20 goals and providing seven assists across all competitions for FC Porto.

Add an experienced William Carvalho, an exciting Ruben Neves and Renato Sanches to the mix and their midfield depth is almost unparalleled. Bruno Fernandes will be one of the first names on the teamsheet and will operate as the number 10. The Manchester United man has established himself as one of the best playmakers in Europe and he scores plenty of goals as well.

Fernando Santos will have Pedro Goncalves, popularly known as Pote, as an alternative option to Fernandes. He was the top scorer in the Primeira Liga, netting 23 times and providing four assists in 32 appearances for Sporting Lisbon this past season.

#1 Cristiano Ronaldo and Andre Silva are in great goalscoring form and Portugal have incredible depth in attack

Luxembourg v Portugal - FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar Qualifier
Luxembourg v Portugal - FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar Qualifier

Juventus had a rather underwhelming season as they finished fourth in league. But Cristiano Ronaldo won the Serie A Golden Boot by quite a healthy margin. He scored 29 goals for Juventus in Serie A and though he has lost a yard of pace in recent times, he has been really effective in the final third.

Andre Silva will be the main striker and the 25-year-old has just had the best season of his career with Eintracht Frankfurt. He scored 29 goals and provided 10 assists in 32 appearances across all competitions for the Bundesliga outfit this term. He has matured into a reliable finisher and it'll be exciting to see how effective he will be alongside Ronaldo.

In addition to the two prolific goalscorers, Portugal also have the likes of Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix, Diogo Jota and Pedro Goncalves. Bernardo Silva hit his stride in the second half of the season after a slow start to the campaign. Diogo Jota has been in excellent goalscoring form for the Portuguese national side.

Joao Felix has just won the La Liga title with Atletico Madrid and has shown flashes of brilliance. Simply put, Fernando Santos will have a selection headache as Portugal's attacking department is brimming with talent.

Also Check Out: Portugal's Next Matches

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