The Seleccao take on the current holders in a no-holds barred tie, with a berth in the final of the European Championships at stake.
Portugal:
After a slow start, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Netherlands-c753. One man who has been behind the rejuvenation of the Navigators is skipper Cristiano Ronaldo, who validated
his claim to be the world’s best player.
The forward made small-work of the Czechs in the quarter-finals and will be raring to face the supposedly unbeatable La Roja.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011:
Having conquered everything there is to win on the International front; http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vicente-c36001 Del Bosque’s troops are charged with the task of bringing the trophy back to Madrid once more.
While some considered that their reign maybe over, they responded in the best fashion possible, kicking the French out of the competition with a midfield master class.
The likes of Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta have not shown any signs of slowing down and they are likely to be in imperious form against their La Liga rival Ronaldo.
Team News:
Portugal:
Injuries are far and few for the crunch tie, with Paulo Bento only forced to make one substitution to his starting line-up.
Helder Postiga, who suffered a thigh strain against the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hugo-Almeida-c16386 or the talented Nelson Oliveira will take his place in the team.
Attack is Portugal’s strongest weapon and it is highly likely that the coach will let things be as they are now, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Nani just behind the main front-man.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Joao-Pereira-c18664.
Rui Patricio should retain his place in the sticks, but the coach will have to curb the dissent of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Miguel-Lopes-c25569, both of whom started a brawl during training. However the tactician has reiterated his confidence in restoring harmony to
the squad in time for the vital game.
Spain:
La Roja have no injury concerns going into the semi-final, although Del Bosque will be sweating over his formation. The Spaniard has opted to play either http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Torres-c13707 as the lone attacker or Cesc Fabregas as the fulcrum in a striker-less formation.
Both ideologies have yielded decent results but considering the Portuguese defence on hand, he may opt for the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 star for more decisiveness up-front. Midfield is Spain’s most prized asset and they have the ability to out pass and outplay virtually
any side on the face of the earth.
Nonetheless, they will be wary of the threat posed by Ronaldo and Nani and thus are sure to emphasize discipline in defence, something which Fabregas highlighted while talking to the media.
"Portugal have a strong counterattack, but if I were a coach and had http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cristiano-Ronaldo-c9629 I'd probably play that way too. There may be three Real Madrid players in their side but they have a distinct style. Portugal have a midfield which likes to hold
the ball and use it well,” the former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 skipper was quoted as saying.
Key Players:
Portugal: Cristiano http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ronaldo-c31734
The captain has been in prolific form for the last couple of games and will surely punish the Iberian giants if they allow him time and space.
Spain: Xavi Hernandez
The formula is quite simple. If Xavi is able to ascertain his usual dominance on the game, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Portugal-c2984 have no chance of getting through to the final. So for coach Paulo Bento, he is one figure that needs special attention.
Author Prediction:
Portugal 1:0 Spain
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