Portugal enter this summer's EUROs as one of the favorites, but it's for more reasons than just the man who wears the captain's armband. This is a deep, talented side that I'm backing to make a BIG run in the competition... as long as they can escape the Group of Death first.

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My video notes 🔽

- The Squad
- of course led by Cristiano Ronaldo at age 36
- could it be his final major tournament for Portugal?
- he'll be nearing 38 when World Cup 2022 rolls around... leaving Juventus this summer... what does his future hold?
- regardless, still a massively important piece in this Portugal attack
- this attack is more than just Ronaldo, though
- Joao Felix will likely start on the left but he can swap positions with Ronaldo if he wants to get a bit more central
- his biggest asset is being a progressive forward that can create chances for the other forwards
- likes to run at defenders with the ball, passes well for a centre forward
- also Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Jota, André Silva, and more
- Jota will have a massive role to play - will start on the right but can cut inside when Bernardo attacks the right flank, superb finisher, breakout season for Liverpool
- Andre Silva isn't a bad player to have on the bench
- Pedro Gonçalves is an exciting prospect
- Bruno's replacement at Sporting, super prolific in first season with club (23 goals)
- midfield is a talented group led by Bruno Fernandes
- along with Joao Felix will be responsible for the team's creativity in the opposition half
- can also get into the box to receive or try a shot from the edge of the penalty area
- I love a team with a traditional no.6, and Danilo is exactly that for Portugal
- will sit in front of the back line and intercept, nearly impossible to take the ball off of him (disp 0.82 times/90), efficient passer
- allows Portugal's extremely attack-minded fullbacks to move up the pitch and gives freedom to Bruno Fernandes, which is when he plays his best
- very similar to the relationship between Rice and Mount
- final midfielder should be William Carvalho of Real Betis - another player who excels defensively
- can roam further up the pitch as part of a midfield three or can create a pivot with Danilo to allow Bruno to play as a true no.10
- also have Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, and Sergio Oliveira
- Oliveira is particularly intriguing because he provides goals and assists in a midfield that is mostly defensive
- the defense is led by a rising star and two veterans, namely Ruben Dias with Jose Fonte and Pepe
-also in the team are Raphael Guerreiro and Joao Cancelo
- Guerreiro is one of the best in the world at attacking the final third and Cancelo has emerged as one of the best outside backs in Europe thanks to his ability to play in midfield when the team are in possession of the ball - an unusual role for a defender but Cancelo's passing range and recovery pace allow him to do it
- A goalkeeper battle between Rui Patricio and Anthony Lopes
- Prior to 2021, Patricio was the consistent first choice, but Lopes has gotten the nod since the turn of the calendar and he had a better 20/21
- I'd back Lopes based strictly off form, but Patricio does have most of the recent major tournament experience

- In charge of Portugal for this summer's Euros is Fernando Santos, who took the job in 2014 following the World Cup
- a football lifer - was a player for 14 seasons, immediately went into managing, has managed since 1987
- no innovative genius, you can argue he's one of the most successful coaches in the history of the Portuguese national team
- won Portugal it's first ever major international trophy in 2016
- then won the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2018/19, defeating the Netherlands 1-0 in the final
- not a tactical wizard, but he gets results - whether that's because of his team selection or the individual talent, that's for you to decide
- we can expect to see Portugal play mostly in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, but he's used 4-4-2 at times, including at World Cup 2018. Not sure how well that would work now

- Another team in the Group of Death!
- The tactical battle will be fascinating - while they may have close to the same amount of talent as France, their styles are completely different
- Portugal has the luxury to rely on its defense a bit more than France and Germany - will they sit back and hit on the counter? Will they try to control possession in midfield with two big, physical ball-winners?
- I like Portugal to finish SECOND in the Group of Death and advance to the Round of 16.