Portugal
Reigning champions hoping for repeat success
Man-for-man, Portugal have a better and deeper squad than when lifting their maiden major trophy in Paris five years ago. For the reigning champions to repeat their Euro 2016 success, however, coach Fernando Santos has to mould a fabulous array of talent into a balanced and cohesive unit. Now seven years at the helm, the veteran coach still often appears to be waging an internal tug-of-war between his naturally conservative football philosophy and the temptation to go for a more expansive style of play.
With the attacking firepower provided by the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix, Bernardo Silva, Diogo Jota and Bruno Fernandes – all key players at a handful of Europe’s biggest clubs – it is not surprising that, despite largely positive results, Santos continues to draw criticism for “not letting off the handbrake”.
Sporadic examples of a more offensive approach, such as when crushing Croatia and Sweden in Lisbon during the Nations League, have been tempered by irritation shown by Santos when he feels his team is too open.
After rounding off the Nations League campaign with victory versus Croatia in Split, the 66-year-old was visibly frustrated after Portugal had dropped the defensive intensity that has characterised the team under his watch. “You don’t win these games by playing nice, pretty football. Doing that, nobody would beat anybody. Playing like that, we’ll find it difficult to be ourselves.”
The outburst was a timely reminder that for Santos the recipe for winning in international football is controlling and grinding down the opposition, rather than attempting to outscore them in a free-for-all. And with an outstanding record – just four defeats in 56 competitive matches – and two trophies in the cabinet, who can blame him for sticking to his principles.
It is a measure of the strides that Portugal have taken over the last two decades, and especially under Santos, that being drawn in one of the Euros’ deadliest-ever “groups of death” has not dampened optimism regarding the team’s chances of enjoying another memorable tournament. The Selecao face a resurgent Hungary in Budapest, then Germany in Munich, then world champions France back in Budapest.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s ambition remains undimmed, and alongside arguably his best-ever supporting cast, the captain will be gunning to help Portugal embellish the most golden era in their history with another trophy.
But he also has individual records in his sight. A single win this summer would move him above Spain’s Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta for the most games won in the competition, while a single goal would see him become the tournament’s outright top goalscorer, overtaking legendary France player Michel Platini.
Being drawn in one of the Euros’ deadliest-ever “groups of death” has not dampened optimism regarding the team’s chances