Portugal look GOOD, for the first time in a LONG TIME with SUPER Moutinho Strike

When trying to figure out a team that would go forth and win the Euros, I have been stumped. Germany don't look as strong as last year, Spain have fallen off, Italy are in transition and the less said about the Dutch the better.






After Portugal's start to qualification, they did not even enter my consideration. When looking at how they have performed in previous tournaments, they played like a defensive team who were just waiting to get beat. There was no sense at all they would go far. Now though, with a manager who looks like he's about to collapse, they actually look really good. With a mix of some of the boys who did well at the Euro Under-21 Championships, and the regulars playing to their potential....Portugal could be a dangerous team next year in France.

Many players impressed me who were not part of the World Cup failures. Danilo in the middle brought composure and structure but it was Bernardo Silva who really ran things. The way he would pick up the ball and roam around the pitch, keen on getting his team going made Portgual more than just a defensive team that they have been in previous tournaments. Still though, Denmark came to play and made it difficult for them. Both teams had chances...very good chances, with the bar being hit by both teams. It was a great footballing match to watch, but in the end, the quality of one player shone through.

Moutinho is a player who I think needs to live Monaco. You look at what Martial is doing with United, that could be Moutinho if he was put in a team that was the right fit for him. The way he took his goal, with the dribble, and the curling finish that Schmeichel couldn't reach was what you call superb technique. There no panic or rush, but just the focus on executing. You can say all you want about Cristiano, and I know that he is going to be very important for Portugal and they need his goals, but the Portuguese are not winning the Euros without the the talents of Moutinho in midfield, t both provide and score the kind of goal he scored against Denmark.

I won't go all the way and proclaim Portugal as favorites. Won't do it. But they do have a much better chance playing this way than they did with their previous manager. If all their players are fit, and they can get guys like Bernardo Silva, William Carvalho, Danilo to have a really good effect on the team, and Pepe and his pals keep things tight in defense which they always do, then Portugal could navigate their way to a semi-final, and once there....it's anybody's cheddar.



HH