1. July 2024
Portugal head into the spherical of 16 of the European Soccer Championship in Germany towards underdog Slovenia on Monday (9 pm/stay ServusTV) in Frankfurt as favourites. Nevertheless, Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. are warned. as a result of a 0-2 pleasant win within the first straight duel on March 26 this yr in Ljubljana. The 39-year-old star is hoping to attain his first objective at these finals in his fourth look, which might make him the oldest ever goalscorer on the European Championships.
Up to now, issues haven’t gone as deliberate for Portugal’s file participant (210 video games) and file scorer (130 objectives). That is additionally why there may be controversy over retaining the striker, who now solely performs in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr, within the beginning line-up of the European Champions 2016. However Ronaldo is about for workforce boss Roberto Martinez. His teammates additionally help him quite a bit. “Did you see how he helped the workforce on the sphere? It’s unimaginable. He is among the gamers with essentially the most minutes on our workforce. At 39 years previous,” stated central defender Pepe.
Ronaldo is certain to carry extra pleasure to the workforce. “Cristiano Ronaldo defends for the sake of objectives. “That is a reality,” emphasised the 41-year-old, who will proceed so as to add to his age file within the European Championships. Within the final group sport towards Georgia, like lots of his colleagues – however not Ronaldo – he was spared. Due to this fact, the 2-0 victory of “B-Elf” towards Georgia in a match that had no that means for Portugal shouldn’t be overestimated.
Like, in fact, the take a look at duel with the Slovenians a number of months in the past. “The primary sport in March was only a pleasant sport. “So the motivation is totally totally different now,” emphasised defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha. He might additionally arrange camp in Germany after the European Championships and is claimed to be on the verge of a transfer to FC Bayern. Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix even have an unsure future on the membership;
With good EM performances, they’ll all promote themselves. It’s anticipated that the Slovenians may have the identical defensive idea because the Czechs and the Georgians, who had been capable of trigger many issues for the Portuguese. The Slovenians managed to do that too, profitable towards Portugal within the take a look at in Ljubljana regardless of solely having 25 per cent of the ball – due to a profitable and fast counter-attack. Preventing energy was additionally a trump card within the group stage. Together with Denmark and Serbia (1-1 every), England (0-0) additionally dropped some extent and had been promoted as one of many high 4 third-placed groups within the group.
“There have been some doubters about our workforce earlier than the match, however we confirmed our energy on the pitch,” stated Slovenian workforce boss Matjaz Kek. For the primary time because the nation’s independence, the Slovenians, who’ve two Sturm Graz gamers of their squad, Jon Gorenc Stankovic and Tomi Horvat, have moved into the ultimate stage of the European Championship. Kek can due to this fact be proud whatever the final result of Monday’s sport. In any case, the Portuguese didn’t anticipate something sure to occur. “There aren’t any simple video games on the European Championship. The one towards Georgia was the very best instance of that,” Martinez stated.