Game in a sentence
Individual brilliance beats out cautious defending as Ronaldo heads Portugal past the Czech Republic to reach the final four.
Observations
- Portugal were roughly in a 4-3-3 with a side unchanged from the one that beat the Netherlands in the final Group B match. Postiga up front flanked by Nani on the left and Ronaldo on the right, although all three players roamed fairly freely, Ronaldo perhaps more so.
- The Czech Republic was pretty much unchanged in a 4-2-3-1, except for Daniel Kolar, who was replaced by Vladimir Darida. Cue lame post-structuralist philosophy jokes (at least from me and Grant Wahl apparently).
- Unfortunately, as feared, the game was a bit…cagey. A “tactical chess match,” as the euphemism goes. Not outright boring perhaps, but not very compelling for the neutral. Certainly the deadly dull atmosphere in Warsaw didn’t help.
- Why was it boring/cagey you ask? Well, a number of different factors that mostly favoured the Czech Republic’s game, as to be expected, and mostly in the first hour of play. Because of the quality of Portugal out wide, and the generally troublesome unpredictability of Portugal’s ostensible wingers in Nani and Ronaldo, the Czech full-backs, Gebre Selassie in particular, were reluctant to bomb forward as they have in previous matches. The contribution in defense was welcome, particularly from David Limbersky
- This meant Petr Jiracek and Vaclav Pilar had to do most of the work in attacking the Portuguese final third on their own. Jiracek in particular had a freer role moving in the final third, cutting in, dribbling forward, and Pilar attempted to use his pace on occasion. But they created precious few chances, because Darida was largely ineffective and because Milan Baros was an utter pylon.
- Portuga’s humming attacking trio was also muted somewhat by the disciplined and impressive positional play from the two defensive midfielders, Jaroslav Plasil and Tomás Hübschman. They were adroit in cutting off the passing lanes between Ronaldo, Postiga and Nani.
- Postiga however picked up an injury in the 40th minute, and was replaced by Hugo Almeida, who gave Portugal a bit of height at least, and increased their reliance on long balls into the box, particularly as the second half progressed.
- Still, it would be inaccurate to say Portugal were “stifled.” Particularly as Ronaldo hit the post—twice. That brings his tournament total to four. Portugal created several clear cut chances but were unable to finish.
- The quiet (not always) contribution of Joao Moutinho and Miguel Veloso behind the front three shouldn’t go unrecognized either. Moutinho stood out in particular, with the highest number of attempted passes, more than half in the Czech final third. He notched an assist, and was second in shots.
- And it was Moutinho whose cross met Cristiano Ronaldo’s head, the Number 2 to Lionel Messi whom it should be said is “up for it” this tournament, a frightening proposition indeed.
- The Czech Republic whimpered toward the finish line, and had nothing to offer (they managed two shots all game, one off target and one blocked). It turns out it’s very difficult to win when you’re centreforward is a ghost and you can’t seem to find a decent player to play in the midfield hole. Portugal are worthy semifinalists, and it would be naive to count them out of a possible run to the Championship.
Three stars
1. Joao Moutinho
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
3. David Limbersky
Portugal were clearly the better team. Czechs fought hard, but didn’t have the talent to combat them.
Raul Merieles is on of the most frustrating players to watch, you can’ see he’s got some talent, but he’s just such a knob.
Did any of the the Czechs impress you this tournament? I know some of them play for decent sized clubs already, but maybe Gebre Selassie will get some interested clubs looking to sign him??
Czechs played its maximum today mainly first half was even better than I expected. Cech was the best player of Czechs for me this game. During second half it was clearly Portugese game and Ronaldo shown his quality today I expect that he will lead Portugal to the final.
I thought Jiracek was pretty good this tournament. He was really the only guy who looked like he had any intent to run at the portugese defense this game.
I agree about Merieles. He likes to get involved in attacks but he always seems to make the wrong decision. Serious lack of composure on the ball in the final third and his long range shooting is terrible – he just snatches at everything.
Agreed, Jiracek and Gebre Selassie both had good tournaments. But I was hoping for more from Jiracek from today’s match. I would be happy to see Gebre Selassie get a transfer from Slovan Liberec to say a Bundesliga or Ligue 1 club. He would fit in nicely in either domestic leagues.
And it was Moutinho whose cross met Cristiano Ronaldo’s head, the Number 2 to Lionel Messi whom it should be said is “up for it” this tournament, a frightening proposition indeed.
This review reminds me of the fans who chant Messis’ name during the games when Ronaldo is on the ball… Messi is one of the 2 best players in the world, but he is not at the EURO so lets stop bringing his name up till the Euro is over…
Exactly, to me…the mere fact that some will keep remindind themselves that Ronaldo is second to Messi, clearly shows they might have a doubt…if it was such a an obvious thing, there would be no need to bring it up at all.
I mention Messi merely to emphasize how good in fact Ronaldo is as a player.
May I honestly ask: does this sort of thing keep you up at night? This entirely subjective and almost inherently meaningless “debate” over one abstract footballing superstar is a mite, titch, inch better than another abstract footballing superstar?
The passion wasted on the topic seems like it could go to better use elsewhere…
It just gets old when the media types constantly attempt to portray Ronaldo as in the midst of some sort of rivalry with Messi. And how Messi’s always automatically #1 despite having many, many important skills which are inferior to Ronaldo, as well as having a supporting cast Ronaldo really could never dream of until this past season. Ronaldo is in his third international tournament semi-final, while Messi’s international highlight is…?
You say this “meaningless debate” is wasted passion. But you’re also quick to label Messi #1. It’s contradictory. And, frankly, if Ronaldo in fact leads Portugal to a European Championship, I don’t see how anybody on earth could still say Messi is better.
It’s not contradictory because it’s my opinion, and it’s entirely subjective. And your own measure is impossibly subjective too. Winning the Euros with Portugal makes Ronaldo king of planet earth how exactly? Moutinho was man of the match yesterday, not Ronaldo.
And “who’s the better player” debates are always fun. Gretzky vs Lemieux, Kobe vs Lebron, Payton vs Brady…I suppose you can dislike them if you wish, but I always enjoy comparing attributes.
Nobody called Ronaldo man of the match (besides UEFA, but..). My point is you stated your opinion, then called the debate meaningless. So your opinion is meaningless?
Ronaldo becomes “king of planet earth” because he is showing that he can do what he does best in ANY situation, be it with Utd, Real or Portugal. Messi has shown, thus far, that he can’t be counted on unless a red and blue strip is on his back. Messi is unparalleled in ball control, without a doubt. But for shots, set pieces, pace, dribbling, heading…is it a stretch to say Ronaldo outdoes Leo in most, if not all, those categories?
It doesn’t keep me up at night, I like both of them…both are stronger in cerain areas.
My comment wasn’t directed at you…more of general comment about something I see a lot in a lo of different articles.