Overload and draw Portugal to the right, switch the play to Robin Gosens, goal. As simple as it sounds, this was the sequence of the game. It was repeated countless times, and it allowed Germany to secure the win over Fernando Santos’ side. With the Portuguese manager failing to adjust, Gosens ran Nelson Semedo ragged. […]
The second round of group stage fixtures sees Germany and Portugal lock horns. Portugal labored their way past a stubborn Hungary with three very late goals, while Germany struggled to get their offense going and ultimately failed to overcome an early Hummels own goal. Without either nation on song in their first game of EURO […]
Portugal’s possession play was not the strongest, but their reliance on individual ability in attack was able to create them a couple of reasonable chances in the first half. They were defensively stable enough to contain Hungary’s attack despite Ádám Szalai’s best efforts, and eventually got their goals in the closing minutes. Tactical analysis and […]
The rematch of the 2016 European Championship final saw the same scoreline but in the other direction, as France rolled to victory on the back of a fluid and composed performance. N’Golo Kanté’s 53rd minute strike proved the difference in a game when both teams had chances, although France were the better side – both […]
With both teams flawless in the Nations League thus far, this clash was a matchup between two of the contenders to take the competition altogether. However, while both teams traded blows, neither side’s offensive structure was able to make the breakthrough. Tactical analysis by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. France have begun their Nations League campaign on a […]
Portugal began the battle for prolongation of their Nations League title with a convincing well-rounded display. The array of attacking talent at their disposal overwhelmed Croatia. The combination of their dynamic front players with the support of their marauding fullbacks proved too much. Their organized defensive shape was also enough to stifle Croatia’s ball progression […]
Both sides took a lot away from Portugal’s win over Switzerland. The Netherlands attempted to mirror certain aspects of their setup, whilst Fernando Santos adapted his side’s defensive setup to the exposure in midfield. Many other factors played into Portugal’s growing control, including their coach’s inventive defensive shape, which allowed for constantly successful attacking transitions. […]
Vladimir Petković’s Switzerland were full of tactical intrigue in this surprisingly energetic first semi-final of the UEFA Nations League. Switzerland’s plan in midfield enabled them to intricately pick holes in Portugal’s shape, which resulted in them generating countless great attacking moments. Most of them fizzled out into nothing, however, giving Ronaldo the chance to take […]
Italy’s possession game outplayed a conservative Portugal in the first half thanks to the efforts of the Jorginho-Verratti-Insigne triangle. In the second half, Portugal defended more aggressively to successfully stifle Italy’s attack. Tactical match report by José Perez. Roberto Mancini was handed the unenviable task of restoring Italy after their historic failure to quality for […]