DNA Portugal | Talent capable of conquering the world :: zerozero.pt
With the start of Qatar 2022 just around the corner, it’s time to meet all 32 teams taking part in the world’s biggest homecoming tournament. During the days leading up to kick-off, zerozero presents you with the DNA of each selection, as well as its figure and coach.
As for the 2010 World Championships in Germany and 2014 in Brazil, Portugal qualified for the World Cup in Qatar only via ‘Pay’this is after failing to qualify directly in the last round of the group stage, due to a defeat at home to Serbia (1-2), in Luz, in November last year. Hmm classic for a team that, even so, has not missed a European and World Cup final stage since 1998.
Since then, the corner team has stamped the ticket for six presences in europeansfive world and we can also include the presence in the final phase of the League of Nations 2019held in national territory and which Portugal would eventually conquer, this being the second title of the reign of Fernando Santos, a name not always consensual, but which already adds two great achievements in the history.
Intermittent season of Cristiano Ronaldo �Catarina Morais / Kapta +
The last World Cup, 2018 in Russia, is not a good memory for the Portuguese team, eliminated in the round of 16 by Uruguay (2-1), much below expectations for a team that arrived at the competition as European champions in title. The same happened at Euro 2020, with Portugal being eliminated again in the round of 16, at that time by Belgium (1-0🇧🇷 An image that Fernando Santos intends to clean up in Qatar, having even assumed that, with the 26 names he chose, it is possible to win the World Cup.
And there’s not much doubt about the individual quality🇧🇷 Portugal brings together some of the best players in the world in their respective positions, many of them figures in the best and biggest teams on the planet, so the raw material is precious, there is talent to give and sellit remains for the coach to build a strong team to reach the desired goal.
Looking at the list, Fernando Santos can play in a 4x3x3 or in a 4x4x2, without the system being too rigid, rather a hybrid model, with many good solutions for all sectors. on goal, Diogo Costa is in excellent form, very visible in the Champions League, and starts ahead of Rui Patrício and José Sá.
In defence, the Portuguese full-backs have very offensive characteristics, on both sides, and in the defense axis there is the emotion of the experience of pepe (39 years old) and the youth of antonio silva (19 years old), without forgetting the moment of Rúben Dias and Danilo, regular starters at Manchester City and Paris SG, respectively.
António Silva makes his absolute debut in the AA Selection �Filipe Amorim / Kapta+
From midfield to attack, there are just a few minutes present at the World Cup with power (and quality) from Portugal. Emphasis on Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Otávio, João Félix, Matheus Nunes, Rafael Leão, Gonçalo Ramos, Ricardo Horta, André Silva and, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo, who allows Fernando Santos a wide range of solutions, always very well protected by Palhinha, William Carvalho and Rúben Neves. Deep down, all these names mean that Portugal can dream high starting for this World Championship. The former for many, the latter for some.