I, today i´m in a query mood, now i would like to help realize what will be the ideal eleven for the Portuguese national team to try to get the european cup, here is mine:

-----------------------------Vitor Baia-----------------------------

Paulo Ferreira----Ricardo Carvalho---Jorge Andrade--N. Valente

--------------------------------Petit--------------------------------

Luis Figo------------Rui Costa-------Maniche---------Simão Sabrosa

------------------------------Pauleta--------------------------------


Bench

Ricardo
Miguel
Fernando Couto
Costinha
Deco
Nuno Gomes
C. Ronaldo

-------------------------Vitor Baia-----------------------------------

Paulo Ferreira----Ricardo Carvalho-Jorge Andrade----Rui Jorge

---------------------Petit------------Costinha---------------------

Figo---------------------Rui Costa---------------------Simão

---------------------------Pauleta-------------------------------

Bench:

Moreira
Miguel
Ricardo Rocha
Fernando Couto
Tiago
Deco
Nuno Gomes

--------------------------------Moreira----------------------------------

Paulo Ferreira----Ricardo Carvalho---Fernando Meira------Miguel

-------------------------Petit-------Costinha-----------------------------

Luis Figo-------------------Rui Costa-------------------Cristiano Ronaldo

--------------------------------Pauleta----------------------------------


Subs:

Ricardo
Deco
Simao
Maniche
Boa Morte
Tiago
Jorge Andrade
Nuno Gomes :crazyboy:

--------------------------------Ricardo-----------------------------------

Paulo Ferreira---Ricardo Carvalho--Jorge Andrade---Nuno Valente

--------------------------------Costinha---------------------------------

----------------------Tiago-----------------------------------------------

Figo--------------------------Rui Costa---------------------Simão

--------------------------------Pauleta-------------------------------

Bench:

Moreira
Miguel
Ricardo Sousa
Ricardo Rocha
Petit
Deco
C. Ronaldo
Hugo Almeida

Don't the majority of the Portugese rate Cristiano then? I know he's young and has a lot to learn but im sure he'll be figured in a top lineup

You'd take him over Figo or Rui Costa? :sb9:


Give him two more years, he will be a very important player in 06, the Euro is a bit too early.

He's simply regarded as a promising youngster, we don't get all awe struck just because he plays for Man. Utd. I agree he deserves to be on the roster, but no way he would start over more experienced wingers like Figo, Simao, and even Boa Morte

I think Scolari still thinks he's too inconsistent to play starting XI in the national team. He's been brilliant for the past month for Man Utd though, that's why I put him in my lineup :p


Anyway the most likely lineup to be used by Scolari is:

--------------------------------Ricardo-----------------------------------

Paulo Ferreira--Fernando Couto--Jorge Andrade---R. Jorge/N. Val.

-------------------------Petit-------Costinha-------------------------------

Figo--------------------------Rui Costa---------------------Simão

--------------------------------Pauleta-------------------------------

Originally posted by Amdy Faye
Don't the majority of the Portugese rate Cristiano then? I know he's young and has a lot to learn but im sure he'll be figured in a top lineup

Full of potential? Yes
could be one of the best wingers in the world in the next 2/3 years? Yes

Even so we must realize that an European or World Cup has everything to do with experience and consistency, there´s no room for 2nd chances in those competitions, so Simão and Figo offers the security that the young and quality football of C Ronaldo doesn´t yet have.

----------------------------Ricardo------------------------------
Paulo Ferreira---Ricardo Carvalho---Fernando Couto---Nuno Valente

-------------------Costinha--------Petit-----------------------

Figo--------------------------------------------------------Cristiano Ronaldo

-----------------Maniche/Deco/Rui Costa--------------------

----------------------------Pauleta------------------------------


Bench:
Baía
Jorge Andrade
Litos
Rui Jorge
Tiago
Boa Morte
Hugo Viana
Ricardo Sousa
Zidane(!)

:rockman:

I agree he is slightly overrated right now. He has put in some excellent displays and beautiful crosses (the one vs Everton my favorite) but is sometimes inconsistent. For example if we had Ronaldinho or Figo I'd start them on the right wing and Giggs on the left, leave Crissy on the bench. He lacks experience.

BUT I'd be more than happy to sub him on at any time, as Figo is getting old :)

-----------------------------RICARDO!!!-----------------------------

P. Ferreira----R. Carvalho---J. Andrade--N. Valente

------------------Costinha-----Petit------------------------

Luis Figo-------------Rui Costa----------------C. Ronaldo

--------------------------Pauleta----------------------------

Bench:
Quim (great form)
Couto
Litos
Rui Jorge
Frechaut
Maniche
Tiago
Deco
R. Sousa
Simao
Boa Morte
N Gomes

funny, a lot of people agree on having Ricardo Sousa on the national team but the press never even mentioned it... i don't get it! 11 goals and 8 assists this season... and all 11 goals were great!

Originally posted by Funky--K
-----------------------------RICARDO!!!-----------------------------

P. Ferreira----R. Carvalho---J. Andrade--N. Valente

------------------Costinha-----Petit------------------------

Luis Figo-------------Rui Costa----------------C. Ronaldo

--------------------------Pauleta----------------------------

Bench:
Quim (great form)
Couto
Litos
Rui Jorge
Frechaut
Maniche
Tiago
Deco
R. Sousa
Simao
Boa Morte
N Gomes

funny, a lot of people agree on having Ricardo Sousa on the national team but the press never even mentioned it... i don't get it! 11 goals and 8 assists this season... and all 11 goals were great!

Everybody has the right to express their opinion, so there is mine. There´s no way that Ricardo Sousa has the quality to be part of the Portuguese squad for the european Cup, there are several player better than him. He´s an average player with good shooting skills and that´s it.

Players with quality to take a place in the midfield

Deco, Rui Costa, Figo, Petit, Costinha, Tiago, Pedro Mendes, Maniche, Sérgio Conceição.

And i´m considering that Quaresma, C. Ronaldo, Simão are forwards.

does Quaresma have a chance of making it on the subs bench.

Also why don't you put J. Pinto in your teams. I remember at Euro 2000 he was fantastic. And why not also start Nuno Gomez

I agree and disagree, I think Cristiano is very young but why shouldnt a young prospect be given a chance to perform on center stage? and nope not ahead of figo and rui, they'd always be in my team, but I think Ronaldo will play in Euro, in most games anyway, he adds an extra element in attack, and I think he'll get given a proper chance internationally before he's 21 (2006) so... hmm, whatever the team is, it'll be a great tournament with excellent teams eh

Originally posted by bsoccer
does Quaresma have a chance of making it on the subs bench.

Also why don't you put J. Pinto in your teams. I remember at Euro 2000 he was fantastic. And why not also start Nuno Gomez

Quaresma will be at the U21 Euro in Germany. João Pinto wasn't called since the famous punch on the ref at the WC. Nuno Gomes will be called but Scolari will only use 1 Striker and Pauleta is better.

----------------------Ricardo------------------------
P.Ferreira--R.Carvalho--F.Couto--Rui Jorge--
---------------------Costinha-----------------------
---------------Tiago---------------------------------
Figo---------------Rui Costa-----Simão Sabrosa
----------------------Pauleta------------------------

Bench

Moreira
Miguel
Nuno Valente
Jorge Andrade
Fernando Meira
Ricardo Rocha
Petit
Deco
C.Ronaldo
L. Boa Morte
Nuno Gomes
Postiga

---------------------------Quim-----------------------
P. Ferreira--R. Carvalho--R. Rocha-- Rui Jorge
---------------Petit-------------Tiago----------------
----------------------Rui Costa----------------------
Figo--------------------------------------------Simão
-----------------------Pauleta------------------------


bench:
- Ricardo
- Miguel
- N. Valente
- N. Assis
- R. Sousa
- N. Gomes
- J. Andrade
- F. Couto
- Boa Morte
- Costinha
- F. Meira

Shouldn; t Deco and Nuno Capucho be in the starting lineup somehow?:(

Originally posted by chatterbox
Shouldn; t Deco and Nuno Capucho be in the starting lineup somehow?:(


not really.

Capucho... :f***: :kader:

Capucho??!!! :gavin:

Originally posted by chatterbox
Shouldn; t Deco and Nuno Capucho be in the starting lineup somehow?:(

Capucho!?!? you've gotta be kidding... :rofl:

He was almost considered a has-been in Portugal even before he left for Rangers. It's nice to know there's a league out there even worse than ours that's willing to sign our older, worn out players :funny:

My starting lineup
----------------------------Vitor Baia----------------------------
P.Ferreira------R.Carvalho------J.Andrade------N.Valente
----------------------------Costinha-----------------------------
-----------------Tiago/Maniche/PedroMedes-----------------
-------------------------R.Costa/Deco---------------------------
-------Figo------------------------------------------Simao-------
-----------------------------Pauleta-------------------------------

-----------------------------Vitor Baliza-----------------------------

-P. Ferreira----R. Carvalho---J. Andrade--N. Valente-

------------------Costinha-------------------------

-Luis Figo-------------Deco/Rui Costa----------------Simão-

--------------------------Pauleta----------------------------

Bench:
Ricardo
Quim

Couto
Meira
Rui Jorge
Miguel

Maniche
Tiago
Ronaldo
Mendes

Boa Morte
Gomes


I would add Helder Postiga if he did start playing in the EPL again, but he dosent see action and just came off injury. Same goes for Hugo Viana tough he will be there, he is not on my list as he dosent play regularly, and has not impressed. Pedro Mendes was doing great before he got hurt. Rui Costa is Kaka's backup and even tough Deco is not in great form, his passes have been there and I would go with him. Deco looks to be the better option now. Then for keeper I chose Portugal's best the one Scolari keeps refusing to call up.

lol, capucho:D

Rangers paid a bit for him(Capucho)...he must have done some good with Porto right?

Originally posted by chatterbox
Rangers paid a bit for him(Capucho)...he must have done some good with Porto right?

Yes he did, Capucho was one of the best Portuguese right midfielders for years, but his time has passed!

Yeah, he was... but now he :-puke:

Originally posted by Amdy Faye
I agree and disagree, I think Cristiano is very young but why shouldnt a young prospect be given a chance to perform on center stage? and nope not ahead of figo and rui, they'd always be in my team, but I think Ronaldo will play in Euro, in most games anyway, he adds an extra element in attack, and I think he'll get given a proper chance internationally before he's 21 (2006) so... hmm, whatever the team is, it'll be a great tournament with excellent teams eh

it´s pretty sure that Ronaldo will be in the National Squad for Euro 2004 and not with the under 21´s, so he will have the chance to prove his worth at the higgest level but not in the starting eleven.
Quaresma case is different, he´ll be with the under 21´s for sure, he´s not been Rickard´s first choice.

Originally posted by Groogster
it´s pretty sure that Ronaldo will be in the National Squad for Euro 2004 and not with the under 21´s, so he will have the chance to prove his worth at the higgest level but not in the starting eleven.
Quaresma case is different, he´ll be with the under 21´s for sure, he´s not been Rickard´s first choice.


only because he plays for man yoo now he's chosen for the aa team?! no way! he still have lots to learn

Originally posted by Parasol
only because he plays for man yoo now he's chosen for the aa team?! no way! he still have lots to learn

Yes, he has a lot to learn but in my opinion he´s already have what it takes to be part of the A Team in the Euro 2004.
We have amazing wingers, Figo and Simão are, no doubt in my mind about that, the best that Portugal have at the moment and they will be for sure in the starting eleven, but we need someone that can replace them in case of need, and for that place i bet my money in C. Ronaldo and not in Quaresma or Boa Morte.

Now that I think of it, we have immense quality at the centre back position:Ricardo Carvalho,Fernando Meira(which is amazing),Jorge Andrade,Beto,F.Couto.

I would add Ricardo Rocha to that list and remove Couto and Beto..

Couto's mentality is a liability IMO like we saw in the friendly against Spain, he's also lost a lot of pace and jumping ability. I still remember him losing balls in the air to that midget Miccoli in the friendly vs. Italy last year....not good.

:kader:

R. Carvalho is amazing though, Scolari has to be blind for not starting him...the guy's a tower of strength at the back. I was blown away by his bravery and toughness against Man Utd. he stretched, slid, headed anyway he could to clear balls from the danger area. I also like how he doesn't f*ck around and just blasts the ball away..

Couto and Figo will be out of the international figure after the EURO. And lets see Rui Costa. If he signs for Benfica, he's also likely to consider international retirement.

To replace Couto, no one better than VfB Stuttgart's Fernando Meira. He's the best in a country where defenders must be rough, tough, strong, solid. And he's the best there ATM.

With Figo, the doubt is between Quaresma and Ronaldo. And also João Pereira maybe a contender, if he plays more regulary for Benfica next season.

About Rui Costa, no doubt. Deco will wear the number 10 shirt. He's Costa's natural heir.

Joao Perreira?!?you must be joking. the kid has potential and that's it. He'll be lucky if he make the u-21 team

--------------------- Baía ----------------------
--------- J.Andrade -- R.Carvalho ----------
P.Ferreira ------------------------ N.Valente
--------------------------------------------------
-------- Costinha -- Maniche/Petit ---------
Figo ------------- Deco ------------ Ronaldo
------------------Pauleta ---------------------

Subs:

Ricardo
F.Couto
F.Meira
Beto
Rui Jorge
Miguel
Maniche/Petit (it depends on wich one plays)
Tiago
Pedro Mendes
Boa Morte
Rui Costa
Nuno Gomes
Postiga

Originally posted by bbranco10
Now that I think of it, we have immense quality at the centre back position:Ricardo Carvalho,Fernando Meira(which is amazing),Jorge Andrade,Beto,F.Couto.

In my opinion F. Meira is a much better player as Defensive Midfielder, the best games that i saw from Meira were in the under 21 as a defensive midfielder and he was just perfect, great balance, tackling and goal scoring passes, as a Central defender he looses capacities and there´s no way he could match R. Carvalho and J. andrade

Originally posted by Paulo Da Silva
Joao Perreira?!?you must be joking. the kid has potential and that's it. He'll be lucky if he make the u-21 team


he's called João Pereira.

and if he goes abroad i'd see everyone wanting him on the team, remember what happened to hugo vaina, ronaldo and quaresma, they have bigger chances of being called up to the national team just because they are playing for some bigger clubs. but that won't make them better players than the ones we have in our championship. i'm not saying that i want joao pereira in the team, that would be really a joke. he'll make it to the u21 championship as a substitute to quaresma.

Joao Pereira has an amazing pace, speed and determination but really he is still way too inconsistent. But he'll probably start in the U21 team as Ronaldo is going with the AAs and Quaresma can play left also.


He pissed me off in the game against Inter when he forgot to play and just dived left and right to try to get Helveg sent off. Shameful :f***:

I refered to João Pereira IF, and only IF, he played more regulary (in terms of number of games AND consistency).

ATM he's no AA matterial. In the future... let's see.

About the CB discussion, since arriving in Germany, Meira has really developed as a defender. He may play very well at the defensive midfield, but he hasn't routine in the position. Players in the NT should only play in the positions they play at their clubs.

Quaresma maybe a good bet to play in the left wing, but only a few games later in the 2006 World Cup Qualifying Round. He's a 5-star-player to break down the more closed defences, like Latvia.

João Pereira will be called for the U21 Euro in Germany for sure. Ronaldo will be with the "AA".

you talk about Ricardo Sousa being a spoiled kid... have you seen Joao Pereira's attitude lately? I mean, he played like 15 official matches and he allready yells at refs and linesman.... even in the UEFA cup...

Originally posted by Funky--K
you talk about Ricardo Sousa being a spoiled kid... have you seen Joao Pereira's attitude lately? I mean, he played like 15 official matches and he allready yells at refs and linesman.... even in the UEFA cup...


it's called the nariz empinado attitude. the kid has no fear ;)

Originally posted by Parasol
it's called the nariz empinado attitude. the kid has no fear ;)

I have a different opinion about that. He first should prove his worth, and to prove that, he have to play above average many games. When he make a name for himself, then he can react like he has been reacting.
For now his reactions seem a way to make a statement, every time he goes to the floor, even when he dives, he argues with the ref, with the players... to me it´s just bullsh...

Even so, i think that he has tremendous potential, so he should concentrate only in playing soccer, because if he does that he can reach very far.

he likes to provoque other team older players that just can't handle him (i'm remembering rui jorge on slb-scp game this season and now helveg last thursday). he doesn't like to stay behind. i guess noone does.

Originally posted by Groogster
Everybody has the right to express their opinion, so there is mine. There´s no way that Ricardo Sousa has the quality to be part of the Portuguese squad for the european Cup, there are several player better than him. He´s an average player with good shooting skills and that´s it.


dude, he played for sevral caps for every single national team level except AA! he's 25 and scores about 10 goals a season with even more assists! as i said before 11 goals 8 assists this season... that's more numbers than Deco... (atention, before all you portistas freak out, I'm not claiming he's better than Deco) Of course it's not fair for other players to include Sousa in Euro 2004, but i can guarantee you that he'll be a certain option for the upcoming years! And he ain't no average player, an average player can't carry a whole team as he did with Beira-Mar and has been doing with Boavista! And even according to Mourinho, he's one of the best set-piece takers in this country....

Originally posted by Groogster
I have a different opinion about that. He first should prove his worth, and to prove that, he have to play above average many games. When he make a name for himself, then he can react like he has been reacting.
For now his reactions seem a way to make a statement, every time he goes to the floor, even when he dives, he argues with the ref, with the players... to me it´s just bullsh...

Even so, i think that he has tremendous potential, so he should concentrate only in playing soccer, because if he does that he can reach very far.

yeah, lol, ur damn right! we don't want another "talented-but-diving-and-referee-punching" player for the NT if u know watt i mean
;)

-------------------------Vitor Baia-----------------------------------

Paulo Ferreira----Ricardo Carvalho-Jorge Andrade----Rui Jorge

---------------------Petit------------Costinha---------------------

Quaresma--------------Rui Costa---------------------Figo

---------------------------Pauleta-------------------------------



ricardo
ronaldo
boa morte
viana
valente
postiga
Maniche
Tiago
nuno gomes
deco
simao
couto
quim
beto

I wonder why Ronaldo is not playing as central forward in Man U. Ferguson puts him every time on the wings. Last match Ronaldo and Fletcher were on the wings and Giggs (he is classical winger) as center forward beside Ruud. BTW, where does Scolari puts him in the national starting lineup?

Originally posted by dobrin1980
I wonder why Ronaldo is not playing as central forward in Man U. Ferguson puts him every time on the wings. Last match Ronaldo and Fletcher were on the wings and Giggs (he is classical winger) as center forward beside Ruud. BTW, where does Scolari puts him in the national starting lineup?

Because Ronaldo is a winger... he always played as a winger in Sporting and in the NT.