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PREVIEW: PORTUGAL VS ARMENIA
Portugal Futbol
Nov 14 2014
November 14, 2014 / mitchellrua
Fernando Santos will look to build on a sound start to his tenure in
the Portuguese dugout ahead of a clash against Group I dark horses
Armenia in the Algarve. Having come away with the three points in
Copenhagen after a last-gasp Cristiano Ronaldo effort, A Selecão da
Quinas will be confident of building on a professional display in
their last hit-out in front of a packed Faro crowd.
Return of the old guard
________________________________
Fernando Santos' tenancy at the helm of the Selecão, albeit short, has
been earmarked by the return of Portuguese veterans of a generation
past. This has come in the form of Tiago, who came out of retirement
last month, Ricardo Carvalho, making a return to the fold after a
fall out with Bento in 2011, and most recently, Jose Bosingwa.
The latest trouper to come out of the international wilderness under
Santos, the 32-year-old right-back has found himself playing regularly
in the Turkish top flight with Trabzonspor. Indelibly experienced in
the red of Portugal, and also having won the Champions League with
Chelsea, Bosingwa, and his fellow veterans, may prove to be invaluable
in the campaign to reach France, as underlined by Tiago himself:
"It's a joy to have players of my generation back because we've
had many good times together," said the 33-year-old Atleti midfield
lynchpin. "For younger players themselves it can also turn out to be
important, because they see us as references."
Not to be underestimated
________________________________
Bernard Challandes' Armenia may only have amassed one point from two
games thus far, but with the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan in their
ranks, another is possible. A side that has caused problems for the
Selecão, having only narrowly lost 1-0 in Leiria and sharing the
spoils at home during qualifying for Euro 2008, the much-improved
Armenians will be confident of stifling the home side.
Led by skipper Roman Berezovski, obstinate between the big sticks,
the Dinamo Moskva shot stopper will be hard to beat. Having made his
debut for his national side against Portugal 18 years ago, Roman is
wary of the hosts.
"It will be very hard for us, but Portugal also endured much difficulty
in previous games against us," said the 40-year-old who is set to
win his 91st cap. "These are intelligent and strong opponents, but
we know how to play football ourselves."
Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Spartak Moscow sharp shooter Yura Movsisyan are
back in the fold having recovered from knocks, with the side close to
full strength, except for the absence of Aras Ozbiliz. Nonetheless,
the Armenians' attacking potency will keep Ronaldo and co. on their
toes, as they will need to take their chances and watch their backs
when on the back foot.
Lethal on the counter, the Armenians will be vying to break their
duck after giving up a 1-0 lead to Denmark in a tightly-contested tie.
Severely depleted in the ensuing encounter against the Serbians,
the home side were able to muster a draw before being humbled by the
French 3-0.
Team selection
Under the Fernando Santos Era, Portugal has adopted a formation that
looks to accommodate for a shortfall in the striker department. In
both games against France and Denmark, A Selecão's formation was
indicative of a 4-3-1-2, with a flexible front three. In this way,
Ronaldo and Nani would play the furthest up the pitch, with Danny
playing in behind, at times as a number 10 or false nine.
With this system implemented against fairly esteemed opposition, and
taking into account the inclusion of another traditional striker in
the form of Helder Postiga, and Eder finding some form for club side
Braga; it would not be a surprise for Santos to change his system to
offset a predictably stalwart Armenia defence.
Playing away against the group favourites, it is expected that the
Armenians will be content to play for the draw in sitting back and
playing on the counter with the likes of Mkhitaryan and Movsisyan in
their attacking arsenal. Newly appointed gaffer Bernard Challandes will
look to play five at the back, playing a 5-2-2-1 or 5-2-1-2 formation.
This tie will undoubtedly shed some light on Santos' tactical
flexibility in terms of formation and personnel against the tenacious
Armenians who will feel hard done by having struggled to amass points
after impressive displays against Denmark and Serbia.
In this way, Santos will no doubt be tempted to throw on a more
versatile midfield, proactive midfield sans William Carvalho, with
Adrien Silva, João Mario and Andre Gomes viable options. Also, a
string of injuries at left-back will give bear an opportunity for
either Tiago Gomes or Raphael Guerreiro to make their debut.
Prediction
________________________________
One of Bento's greatest criticisms was his rigid tactical mindset
and stalwart use of the 4-3-3 against the world's best and worst
sides, regardless of the occasion. Having competed against fairly
revered opposition, this tie will shed some light on Santos' tactical
stringency against an Armenian side expected to 'park the bus' and
hit the Portuguese on the counter.
A side not too different to the same Albanian side that led to the
sacking of Bento in terms of their system, Challandes' side poses more
attacking potency that will duly test the Portuguese defence. Based
on quality alone, A Selecão das Quinas should come at the victors
at a canter; but such a result is unlikely based on an inability to
break down stubborn defences, seen with previous results between the
two sides in rather cagey encounters.
Armenian's quality in the middle of the park and in the final third,
as well as a Portuguese side in transition, has levelled the tie a
smidgen; but the sheer quality of the home side coming off a grinding
victory over the Danes, and renewed vigour breathed into the camp
with Santos' presence in the dugout should be more than enough to
secure the three points.
PortugalFutbol Prediction: Portugal 2-0 Armenia
http://portugalfutbol.net/2014/11/14/preview-portugal-vs-armenia/
From: A. Papazian
Portugal Futbol
Nov 14 2014
November 14, 2014 / mitchellrua
Fernando Santos will look to build on a sound start to his tenure in
the Portuguese dugout ahead of a clash against Group I dark horses
Armenia in the Algarve. Having come away with the three points in
Copenhagen after a last-gasp Cristiano Ronaldo effort, A Selecão da
Quinas will be confident of building on a professional display in
their last hit-out in front of a packed Faro crowd.
Return of the old guard
________________________________
Fernando Santos' tenancy at the helm of the Selecão, albeit short, has
been earmarked by the return of Portuguese veterans of a generation
past. This has come in the form of Tiago, who came out of retirement
last month, Ricardo Carvalho, making a return to the fold after a
fall out with Bento in 2011, and most recently, Jose Bosingwa.
The latest trouper to come out of the international wilderness under
Santos, the 32-year-old right-back has found himself playing regularly
in the Turkish top flight with Trabzonspor. Indelibly experienced in
the red of Portugal, and also having won the Champions League with
Chelsea, Bosingwa, and his fellow veterans, may prove to be invaluable
in the campaign to reach France, as underlined by Tiago himself:
"It's a joy to have players of my generation back because we've
had many good times together," said the 33-year-old Atleti midfield
lynchpin. "For younger players themselves it can also turn out to be
important, because they see us as references."
Not to be underestimated
________________________________
Bernard Challandes' Armenia may only have amassed one point from two
games thus far, but with the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan in their
ranks, another is possible. A side that has caused problems for the
Selecão, having only narrowly lost 1-0 in Leiria and sharing the
spoils at home during qualifying for Euro 2008, the much-improved
Armenians will be confident of stifling the home side.
Led by skipper Roman Berezovski, obstinate between the big sticks,
the Dinamo Moskva shot stopper will be hard to beat. Having made his
debut for his national side against Portugal 18 years ago, Roman is
wary of the hosts.
"It will be very hard for us, but Portugal also endured much difficulty
in previous games against us," said the 40-year-old who is set to
win his 91st cap. "These are intelligent and strong opponents, but
we know how to play football ourselves."
Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Spartak Moscow sharp shooter Yura Movsisyan are
back in the fold having recovered from knocks, with the side close to
full strength, except for the absence of Aras Ozbiliz. Nonetheless,
the Armenians' attacking potency will keep Ronaldo and co. on their
toes, as they will need to take their chances and watch their backs
when on the back foot.
Lethal on the counter, the Armenians will be vying to break their
duck after giving up a 1-0 lead to Denmark in a tightly-contested tie.
Severely depleted in the ensuing encounter against the Serbians,
the home side were able to muster a draw before being humbled by the
French 3-0.
Team selection
Under the Fernando Santos Era, Portugal has adopted a formation that
looks to accommodate for a shortfall in the striker department. In
both games against France and Denmark, A Selecão's formation was
indicative of a 4-3-1-2, with a flexible front three. In this way,
Ronaldo and Nani would play the furthest up the pitch, with Danny
playing in behind, at times as a number 10 or false nine.
With this system implemented against fairly esteemed opposition, and
taking into account the inclusion of another traditional striker in
the form of Helder Postiga, and Eder finding some form for club side
Braga; it would not be a surprise for Santos to change his system to
offset a predictably stalwart Armenia defence.
Playing away against the group favourites, it is expected that the
Armenians will be content to play for the draw in sitting back and
playing on the counter with the likes of Mkhitaryan and Movsisyan in
their attacking arsenal. Newly appointed gaffer Bernard Challandes will
look to play five at the back, playing a 5-2-2-1 or 5-2-1-2 formation.
This tie will undoubtedly shed some light on Santos' tactical
flexibility in terms of formation and personnel against the tenacious
Armenians who will feel hard done by having struggled to amass points
after impressive displays against Denmark and Serbia.
In this way, Santos will no doubt be tempted to throw on a more
versatile midfield, proactive midfield sans William Carvalho, with
Adrien Silva, João Mario and Andre Gomes viable options. Also, a
string of injuries at left-back will give bear an opportunity for
either Tiago Gomes or Raphael Guerreiro to make their debut.
Prediction
________________________________
One of Bento's greatest criticisms was his rigid tactical mindset
and stalwart use of the 4-3-3 against the world's best and worst
sides, regardless of the occasion. Having competed against fairly
revered opposition, this tie will shed some light on Santos' tactical
stringency against an Armenian side expected to 'park the bus' and
hit the Portuguese on the counter.
A side not too different to the same Albanian side that led to the
sacking of Bento in terms of their system, Challandes' side poses more
attacking potency that will duly test the Portuguese defence. Based
on quality alone, A Selecão das Quinas should come at the victors
at a canter; but such a result is unlikely based on an inability to
break down stubborn defences, seen with previous results between the
two sides in rather cagey encounters.
Armenian's quality in the middle of the park and in the final third,
as well as a Portuguese side in transition, has levelled the tie a
smidgen; but the sheer quality of the home side coming off a grinding
victory over the Danes, and renewed vigour breathed into the camp
with Santos' presence in the dugout should be more than enough to
secure the three points.
PortugalFutbol Prediction: Portugal 2-0 Armenia
http://portugalfutbol.net/2014/11/14/preview-portugal-vs-armenia/
From: A. Papazian