New unbalanced poster for these 8th finals, Portugal faces Slovenia in Frankfurt this Monday evening. Despite its favorite status, the Seleçao will have to be wary of a team still undefeated in the competition.
In recent years, the Portugal showed some irregularity in major tournaments. Capable of the best and the worst, Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates are finally expected to deliver on Monday. Indeed, elimination would be a very big failure considering the promises surrounding them.
During the group stage, the Portuguese performed rather well, despite some success, but were disappointed on the 3rd day against the Georgians. Certainly, Robert Martinez has lined up the substitutes, but we will have to forget this bad result when approaching this 8th final.
Especially since opposite, the Slovenia has every reason in the world to believe in itself after three draws. Like the Portuguese in 2016, the Slovenians are still undefeated and should pose problems for their opponent. From there to creating the feat? It’s only a step.
A new tournament begins
Since his coronation in 2016, the Portugal regularly disappoints in the knockout phase. Eliminated in 1/8 during the 2018 World Cupthen during theEuro 2020the Portuguese selection did better in Qatar a year and a half ago, but the defeat was still bitter. After a slap in the face to the Suisse (6-1), she missed the boat against the Moroccoa nation that is nevertheless inferior on paper.
For the moment, the Portuguese have not reached this stage, but we will have to be solid with the ball to avoid experiencing disillusionment. During the last EuroIt was there Belgium who had put an end to the dream of back-to-backThis year the group seems better and the ambitions are even greater.
And, in the group stage, the men of Robert Martinez did the job by finishing first. In our heads, it is now a question of remaining confident and not resting on what we have acquired. Because, this is often the impression that emerges under Fernando Santosthe predecessor of the Spaniard.
The equipment available is impressive: Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leao, to name just a few, it would be a shame not to hold a major tournament. Above all, these players know how to dominate an opponent. They proved it against the Türkiyeit is now a question of maintaining the pace in the face of the Slovenia.
A possible feat
They are currently experiencing their peak, Slovenes will play the first knockout match in their history in a major tournament. Thanks to three rather deserved draws acquired in Group C, the Slovenia of Matjaz Cake finished third. She might have deserved better given the game she played, but the facts are there: her tournament is already a success.
This should not prevent Benjamin Sesko and his teammates to give their all to achieve the feat. But, on paper, the Slovenians more than ever, they look like little thumbs up. A few months ago, however, they beat these same Portuguese in a friendly match (2-0), but the context was obviously different. If we assume that the Portugal don’t foil, it’s hard to imagine the Slovenia in the quarter-finals.
On the other hand, on the ground, the latter can clearly annoy her opponent. We saw him facing theEngland and the Denmark, she is not afraid to take risks and put herself out there. Against the Serbiashe would have deserved to take the three points, but the lack of experience probably had an effect.
Offensively, they know how to use intensity to open spaces, defensively, they know how to close them to thwart placed attacks. It remains to be seen whether a new Hollywood scenario will occur.
