Euro 2020 preview, Group F – Portugal: Tom Kundert on defending champions

Euro 2016 will forever be remembered fondly by Portuguese football fans as this soccer-mad country finally saw its national team lift a major trophy, but ask those same fans if the current squad is better and your answer will be a resounding “Sim”!

The offensive weapons available to coach Fernando Santos means a more offensive approach than that adopted in France five years ago is inevitable.

Footballers of the highest calibre in the attacking third make Portugal one of the most potent teams at the tournament – at least on paper. Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva putting their maverick creativity at the service of Ronaldo, Felix and Jota is a frightening thought for opposition teams.

And any weaknesses?

Pepe’s performances for Porto and Portugal this past year defy his age, but should the 38-year-old pick up any injury or suspension, the natural replacement is 37-year-old Jose Fonte. Full-backs Guerreiro and Cancelo are fantastic going forward, but neither can be described as reliable defenders at the highest level.

In contrast to Portugal’s attack, which boasts world-class players across the board, the suspicion remains that Portugal’s back four can be got at, and if this competition proves one tournament too many for the creaking bones of their ageing centre-backs, Santos may rue the risk taken by selecting just three central defenders.

Give us the lowdown on your team’s star player?  

The greatest ever Portuguese player may not be quite the force he used to be, but 36 goals for Juventus in 2020-21 prove Cristiano Ronaldo is still an extraordinary performer, and he remains the first name on Fernando Santos’ team sheet.

Ronaldo’s list of collective and individual awards is ludicrously long, but the Madeira-born magician insists one piece of silverware means more than all the others: the European Championship trophy. It is no coincidence that Portugal’s greatest period in their football history dovetails with Ronaldo’s career. His unquenchable drive and ambition remain a huge boon to Portugal’s chances of experiencing more glory.

And tell us about a player from your team who could be a breakthrough star at this tournament?

During the recent Nations League campaign Diogo Jota twice deputised for Cristiano Ronaldo who missed the clashes against Croatia and Sweden through injury and Covid-19 respectively. On both occasions Jota produced man-of-the-match displays, scoring three goals and buzzing around with characteristic energy all game long.

His move to Liverpool initially raised concerns in Portugal about possible long periods of bench-warming, but Jota’s vibrant displays before and after his injury showed he was as viable an option as the famous front three of the Anfield club. Jota has been exceptional over the past 12 months for club and country and he could well cap it with a memorable Euro 2020.

How far do you think your team can go in this tournament?

It is difficult not to be highly optimistic going into the tournament when considering the talent throughout the Portuguese squad and the winning mentality coach Fernando Santos has successfully inculcated since taking over in September 2014. In 56 competitive matches since, Portugal have lost just four.

Nevertheless, although Santos has been impeccable as regards making Portugal difficult to beat, his natural conservatism has – save rare exceptions – seen him struggle to harness the full potential of an incredible generation of offensive players at his disposal.

That, together with an overreliance on ageing defenders in Pepe and possibly Fonte, especially when considering the energy that will have to be expended to negotiate a daunting group stage, will prove Portugal’s downfall at the business end of the tournament. Beaten finalists.

Easy one to finish with, who wins the tournament, and who do you think will be top scorer?

France to add the European crown to their world title. Mbappe top scorer.