Christopher Lee/Getty Images Portugal face the Netherlands in Group B's final round of games and both teams have all to play for.
The Netherlands simply must win to have any chance of qualifying from the group, whilst Portugal's dramatic win over Denmark puts them within touching distance of the quarterfinals.
It's sure to be a titanic clash and with everything on the line, you can be sure to see a well-contested game.
Here are the key battles that will happen on the pitch.
Handout/Getty Images
The first battle—and perhaps the most important one of all—will take place between the managers.
Bert van Marwijk saw his Netherlands team fail to overcome a sturdy Danish opposition and will be very frustrated by the profligacy shown. For the majority of the game his side were dominant, but poor finishing let them down.
Then, against Germany, his side were completely taken apart. His defence and midfield had no answer to Germany's imperious showing.
Portugal missed a golden chance to overturn Mesut Ozil and Co. in the first round of matches, but at least managed to get off the mark with a nail-biting win over Denmark.
Paulo Bento's free-flowing system makes for entertaining stuff, but will it be enough to trouble van Marwijk's solid 4-2-3-1?
Jasper Juinen/Getty Images
Having drawn blanks in the opening game against Germany, then again versus Denmark, Cristiano Ronaldo will feel pressured to turn in a high-quality performance.
He was shut down by an impressive Jerome Boateng in the first match, but Gregory van der Wiel represents a significantly easier opponent.
The Dutch right-back is pretty good going forward, but poor in recovery. He likes to push high up the pitch—a move which temporarily alters the Nertherlands' formation into a loose 3-3-3-1.
This could open things out for Ronaldo, who found space at a premium against Die Mannschaft.
If it doesn't work out, he could always move to the right side. Jetro Willems looks even weaker.
Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Paulo Bento identified Mesut Ozil as Germany's major threat for the first game and planned accordingly—he asked Miguel Veloso to stick to him like glue all game.
Portugal now face another team, using a similar formation, utilising a similarly devastating playmaker.
They operate in different ways, but both are well worth man-marking. I expect Veloso's next major assignment this summer to be tracking Wesley Sneijder in an attempt to neutralise him.
With Portugal's free-flowing attack comes a need to anchor the midfield. Without a committed defensive midfield player, they could concede goal after goal with ease against a dangerous Dutch side.
Sneijder was impressive during Netherlands' 1-0 loss to Denmark, dipping in and out of pockets of space and controlling the play well. His close control was superb and he was the main reason why Bert van Marwijk's side was able to dominate during the first half.
Against Germany, he again showed his class, but was burdened with the sole creative responsibility in his team.
If Veloso pockets Sneijder, the Dutch could be going home. If not, the Portuguese position could become precarious.
Lars Baron/Getty Images
The Dutch drew a blank against the Danes and the major shock was Bert van Marwijk's decision to leave Klaas-Jan Huntelaar on the bench.
After all, the top scorer during qualifying must have felt assured of a starting spot, with Robin van Persie likely being shifted to the left wing.
Van Persie was far from sharp, and although Arsenal fans can rest assured he's not doing himself any favours with regards to a potential summer move, van Marwijk could start Huntelaar.
That'll leave Bruno Alves and Pepe with another penalty-box monster to mark, and in many ways Huntelaar and van Persie represent hugely different threats than Mario Gomez.
Pepe seemed a little erratic in his defending during Portugal's opening fixture and things will only get tougher now. His defending for Nicklas Bendtner's goals were terrible as he got sucked under the ball with ease.
He'll have to do better against these two.
No comments:
Post a Comment