Hi Football lovers!!!!
This topic is really concentrated towards Portuguese Soccer Fans.... but feel free to post any positive posts on Portuguese Soccer.
To all of my fellow Portuguese Soccer Followers... Please talk about anything dealing with the National Team. Here's a question or two to get everyone started.
-Do you think Vitor Baía will be fully prepared to play at Euro 2000?
-Do you think Vitor Baía should be placed between the pipes or should Pedro Espinha take the role, who has been impresive in two preperation matches?
-Who should Humerto Coelho (National team coach) put as his regular starting 11, with a 4-3-3 formation?

I really wish Humberto Coelho would stop calling Nuno Gomes and Capucho to the national team because they really suck.

Vitor baia will be ok by Euro 2000, if not, Pedro Espinha will do a good job too.

I hope Vitor Baia is ready because I just don't see Espinha stoping a Beckham free kick he is too small. I dont like the 4-3-3 formation either they were doing just fine with a 4-4-2. It should be Dimas, Madeira, Couto and Secretario on defence. Sousa, Paulo Bento, Rui Costa and Figo in the midfield and Joao Pinto and Sa Pinto upfront.
This would leave them with Conceicao, Vidigal, Jorge Costa and Pauletta as worthy substitues who can come in and do a great job. I also think they should have Domingos instead of Nuno Gomes on the team but thats just my opinion.

I personally like the 4-3-3, it gives them a more attacking edge. That way they can play Sa Pinto and Pauleta up front with joao Pinto playing just behind them. Another good option I think is to have Figo as a forward and putting Conceicao on the right wing.

I'm a little concerned about Espinha too, he's not the greatest keeper, but unfortunatly he's our second best at the moment. Hilario,Quim and Tabuas are good keepers too, but I wouldn't want them playing for portugal at euro2000, they just don't have the experience yet to play on a stage as big as Euro2000...yet. Although you could argue that if Hilario can play in the champions League then he can play at Euro2k.

Personally, I believe Pedro Espinha is not Portugal's second best gk, in fact I consider him an average gk that can't make a difference. I believe it's Hilário or Quim who should take that place if Baia doesn't recover.
As for Portugal's Team and using a 4-3-3, I would place

GK
Hilário

Defenders
Nélson (Secretário wouldn't even go to the bench)
Jorge Costa (or Litos, for me he is the best central defender in Portugal but he lacks international experience)
Fernando Couto
Rui Jorge

Midfielders
Rui Costa
Chainho (Censor me but I simply love the way he plays)
Paulo Bento

Attackers
Sérgio Conceição
Nuno Gomes (Wish we had Jardel)
Figo

Subs (I Believe we can have 7 subs)
Quim
Litos
Beto
João Pinto (He's a great player but I don't believe he would fit in a 4-3-3, possibly in a 4-4-2, the team would be to unprotected in the back)
Paulo Sousa
Pauleta
Capucho
Pedro Barbosa