Portugal v Spain.. Euro 2012 semi-final, build up and match thread

[JamesLincs]

As duty is no longer with us, i thought i'd better get this thread going so we can discuss the first of the semi finals for euro 2012. so guys, jennifer and john, who do we see progressing into the final? Can ronaldo carry the weight of a nation on his shoulders? as much as i dont like to admit it, he is the best player at this tournament, he really does have to full package, and after a slow couple of games, he has burst into life. but will it be enough against spains dominating midfield? will spain opt for the 4-6-0 formation again, i think they will. or will we see torres start?

over to you guys, predictions, thoughts

pred: Portugal 1-1 Spain and penalties. ill risk it and say portugal to knock them out on pens

[lorus59]

It just goes to show how parochial this website has become. Once England dropped out, there seems to be a sharp decline in interest. I think Spain will be too good for Portugal. This isn't Greece Portugal are playing.

[ShankyCricket]

As duty is no longer with us, i thought i'd better get this thread going so we can discuss the first of the semi finals for euro 2012. so guys, jennifer and john, who do we see progressing into the final? Can ronaldo carry the weight of a nation on his shoulders? as much as i dont like to admit it, he is the best player at this tournament, he really does have to full package, and after a slow couple of games, he has burst into life. but will it be enough against spains dominating midfield? will spain opt for the 4-6-0 formation again, i think they will. or will we see torres start?

over to you guys, predictions, thoughts

pred: Portugal 1-1 Spain and penalties. ill risk it and say portugal to knock them out on pens

That is a disgraceful sentence tbh.

[The Special Juan]

Portugal v Spain; what a game. I think it will be a 1-0 win for Spain, they do like a 1-0 win in the latter stages of tournaments.

[Josiah Maiestas]

I can see Portugal getting a goal or 2. This could be the match of the tournament the way Portugal have been playing.

[Crimey]

I think Spain will stifle Portugal's attack. I don't think Portugal have been great at all in this tournament, although I did back them to get to the semi-finals. I think that they struggled against Czech Republic, particularly in the first half and having Ronaldo is great if you can get the ball. There is no general in midfield to win the ball back and Meireles, Moutinho and Veloso will be completely overrun. I would bring in a defensive midfielder for Postiga, and just have Ronaldo up top on his own.

I'm going for 1-0 to Spain.

[brennomac]

Have a feeling that Portugal will do it, at least hope they do - just put down a 20/1 double on Portugal and Italy winning the semis!!!

[Duty281]

Hope Portugal win it but I can't see it TBH. 1-0 Spain.

[Leff]

Portugal has good defence. It will be interesting to see how Spain can penetrate Portugal's back-wall and score that 1 goal that they always look for before they switch back to their default mode of endless possession.

I do agree with Crimey that Spain can stifle Portugal in the midfield. But then, unlike Rooney, Ronaldo is capable of creating his own opportunities, although this won't be easy with Xavi and Iniesta soap opera in the middle.

There is a high likelihood of 0-0 stalemate in regulation time.

Nevertheless, I am going for 1-0 to Spain (This is the their default setting; why change now?).

[Crimey]

Portugal has good defence

Really? I think that is a serious weak spot in the defence, Perreira is decent, but I think Bruno Alves is a very crude defender, and I don't really rate Pepe, too often he goes a bit crazy with a bad tackle or going badly out of position I can see him getting frustrated with chasing the ball and getting sent off while Coentrao is great going forward, not great at defending.

I think it is their real weak spot as well as the lack of a defensive midfielder.

[Leff]

I thought Alves, Pepe, and Coentrao was a good defensive wall, especially Pepe and Alves.

[Postie]

It's difficult to be objective on this game if am honest, as I really dislike Ronaldo and Pepe.

If Ronaldo wasn't a footballer, he'd be a petulant, high maintenaince rent boy.Pepe would be twitching in a straight jacket, in a padded cell, in a secure facility.

Spain to win 3-1.

[Leff]

Postiga is ruled out for today's match. Almeida will likely start in front.

[Crimey]

I still stand by my comments that they should replace him with a defensive midfielder to pack the midfield and play Ronaldo up top on his own, Nani behind him.

[Leff]

What will Spain do to blunt Ronaldo?

[Crimey]

What will Spain do to blunt Ronaldo?

Cut off his supply by dominating the midfield. They don't have to change their normal game plan really. While it's difficult against Madrid for Barcelona because Khedira, Alonso and Ozil is a great midfield, Spain can easily dominate Portugal's midfield.

[Crimey]

Spain are playing with Negredo up front. This is an odd decision, I don't see what Negredo offers them that Torres or Llorente don't. I would have thought it'd have made sense to stick with a winning formula, as much as the six midfielders bores me, it has been effective so far and I imagine it would have worked against Portugal because it would have stifled their midfield leaving Ronaldo with no service.

I still expect Spain to win, and I still expect them to dominate the midfield but the selection of Negredo is a very odd one... I don't think Del Bosque has the same confidence in his squad as he did at the World Cup, probably because he's missing Villa.

[Duty281]

Negredo? Negredo? Is Del Bosque ill this tournament? I think I'm firmly neutral for this game, don't really like either team.

[Ent]

Can't see past Spain, Portugal aren't cute enough on the ball in midfield to cope with their pressing game when Spain occassionally turn over possession.

[Crimey]

Portugal started well, but after about 10 minutes Spain have already started to control the game.

Ronaldo hasn't been in it at all.

[Crimey]

Saying that, Portugal are making an impact now as Ronaldo gets more involved.

I'm not sure if they can keep it up over the 90 minutes though, it's quite intense compared to the cool and calm of Spain.

[Guest]

Total dive by Nani.

[Crimey]

Total dive by Nani.

Really frustrating as there was no need, he'd created a load of space for himself and it was similar to the goal they scored against Netherlands. I think Ramos did give him a little touch but no need to go down.

[Guest]

Tell me about it Crimey. Absolutely no need, he definitely looked for that. Cheat.

[Ent]

Portugal really ruffling Spain's feathers here, I do expect Spain to get on top. If not now then when they withdraw negredo.

[Guest]

They are certainly knocking.

[Ent]

Quality game, regardless of result hope this keeps up.

[Crimey]

Del Bosque is probably regretting the selection of Negredo. He hasn't offered anything yet. At least Torres has good movement.

[Guest]

Do you think Del Bosque is just trying to be clever with this selection?

[phildange]

I never understood why Del Bosque didn't play LLorente at all ? He did a brilliant job all year long as a striker for Bilbao . And they need a top class striker .

[Ent]

Bit harsh I think any centre forward struggles to get involved in a game like this.

He will be withdrawn first though.

[Ent]

Is the extra rest showing this early?

[Duty281]

Good game. If Portugal can maintain this level of pressing throughout the second half then I fancy them to win. Ronaldo will probably produce some magic at some stage.

[Guest]

The ball skills from these players - from defence to attack - put the English players to shame.

[Ent]

Time for Spain to suffocate the game?

[Crimey]

Ha! 7 minutes in and Negredo is off. Can't understand why he didn't make that change at halftime...

Xavi has hardly been in this game.

[Crimey]

Spain look so much better now Negredo is off of the pitch.

Such an odd decision.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Bringing off Xavi is not what I would do. Very much a gamble by Del Bosque.

[Leff]

Disappointing so far.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Spain play so intelligently, but not with any great entertainment. If only the lesser teams would stop hoofing the ball back to them like the Italians, tournament could be better.

[Geordie]

Ive never seen so much diving and playacting...its painful to watch. I was looking forward to watching this....instead ive struggled not to switch over...

[Josiah Maiestas]

Portugal are becoming soppy leaving too many gaps.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Portugal are tired and didnt want the keeper to pass it. Meireles off

[Crimey]

Spain look like they're going to snatch this one.

I want to see penalties. Ronaldo could make up for his penalty miss in the Champions League semi-final.

[Crimey]

Penalties!

[Leff]

Ive never seen so much diving and playacting...its painful to watch. I was looking forward to watching this....instead ive struggled not to switch over...

I recall a similar match between Portugal and Holland. Was it in the 2006 WC?

[Leff]

Casillas, Rise to the occasion, skipper.

[Leff]

Fabregas, Gold again.

Ronaldo, Why?

[Postie]

Glory boy Ronaldo, looks to score the winning kick..... what a winker.

[Ent]

Seen this theory of leaving your best penalty takers til last fail before, no idea why it keeps cropping up!

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