The big preview: UEFA Nations League

Portugal

Wolves team-mates Rui Patricio and Ruben Neves celebrate Portugal’s qualification – (C) AFP

World Ranking – Seventh

Top scorer during Nations League – André Silva – Three goals

Form – Two wins, four draws

Fernando Santos’s men have struggled as of late to win a match as they have failed to win any of their last four matches, drawing with Serbia (1-1), Ukraine (0-0), Poland (1-1) and Italy (0-0). Their most recent draw was their most frustrating as the former European Championship winners had to come from behind after Dušan Tadić scored from the spot for the Serbians. The 1-1 draw with Poland also offered a difficult scenario for Portugal as despite taking the lead before half-time they had to finish the game with ten men after midfielder Danilo Pereira got a straight red which meant that they failed to hold onto the lead.

Before this poor turn of form, they had won two in a row beating Scotland and Poland when travelling to face those countries. The Scotland win ended 3-1 and could have been 3-0 had it not been for a late stoppage time goal by former Norwich man Steven Naismith, as Helder Costa, Eder and Bruma helped the side as they dominated their hosts. Even though Portugal beat Poland they did struggle, having to hold on after Jakub Błaszczykowski scored for their opponents with 13 minutes plus stoppage to go.

How they got here –

Even though the Selecção das Quinas qualified for the semi-finals of the first ever Nations League they didn’t make it look easy, in fact, had Italy not been going through a difficult transition after failing to make the World Cup it could have possible that we would be talking about them rather than Santos’ side. The opening match ended in a 1-0 win over the aforementioned Italy after André Silva, the Nations League top scorer for his nation, netted the only goal of the game.

In the second game, Portugal continued their winning run after beating Poland 3-2 with Andre Silva scoring yet again alongside a Bernardo Silva finish and a Kamil Glik own goal as Portugal survived a late comeback from the Poles to take all three points.

Their final two matches ended in draws with the first, a goalless draw against Italy, being a frustrating game as the two sides had a combined four shots on target. The final game had the most action as Andre Silva continued his scoring reign while Danilo Pereira was sent off for the away side before Arkadiusz Milik scored the equaliser from the spot to secure a point for Poland.

Team news –

Fernando Santos has named a Nations League team involving Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who is of yet to play any part in Portugal’s Nations League campaign, though the 34-year-old has only recently been involved in their two European Championship qualifiers.

Despite playing an important role in qualifying his nation for the semi-finals, which involved scoring three in four matches, André Silva was omitted from the squad for Ronaldo’s star status. Bundesliga players Bruma and Renato Sanches were also left out of the squad despite the two playing all but one of the group stage matches.

23-man squad –

Goalkeepers: Beto (Goztepe), José Sá (Olympiacos), Rui Patrício (Wolves)

Defenders: João Cancelo (Juventus), Nélson Semedo (Barcelona), José Fonte (LOSC Lille), Pepe (Porto), Rúben Dias (Benfica), Raphaël Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund), Mário Rui (Napoli)

Midfielders: Danilo (Porto), Rúben Neves (Wolves), William Carvalho (Real Betis), Bruno Fernandes (Sporting CP), João Moutinho (Wolves), Pizzi (Benfica)

Forwards: Bernardo Silva (Man City), João Félix (SL Benfica), Gonçalo Guedes (Valencia), Rafa Silva (Benfica), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Diogo Jota (Wolves), Dyego Sousa (Braga)

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