Portugal/Russia World Cup Qualifier Preview

                                            Everything To Play For At The Estadio Da Luz

It's a story most Portuguese national team observers have come to know well over the last few years. A squad filled with talent but once again underachieving in qualifying for a major tournament. Coming up second best to Denmark in qualifying for both the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, Portugal would come through victorious against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the playoffs on both occasions to reach both tournaments. Having drawn Northern Ireland at home, Isreal away and losing to Russia away, the playoffs look likely once again for this Portuguese side but can they even reach that target this time around? A loss to Russia on Friday would put that severely in doubt.

With 11 points through 6 games, Portugal is currently tied with Israel in points but below them in the standings because of goal difference. Russia sits in first with 12 points but with two less games played than both Portugal and Israel.  Based on current standings neither Portugal or Israel would make the playoff round as they sit as the ninth best second place team with only the top eight making the playoff round.

                                              Lack Of Finish And Defensive Frailties      

While the lack of offensive production from the forward spot in particular is nothing new for a national team that has lacked a top class striker for some time now, the defensive problems during the campaign have been unexpected. After a formidable defensive job at Euro 2012, where they allowed more than one goal just once, the team allowed three goals away in Isreal and has only been able to keep clean sheets against the bottom dwellers of the group in Azerbaijan and Luxembourg. Having accumulated too many yellow cards, centre-back Pepe will be unavailable for the game against Russia which means one of Valencia's Ricardo Costa or Zenit St Petersburg's Luis Neto will partner Bruno Alves in central defence. Considering his knowledge and experience of playing against the majority of the Russian squad in the Russian doemstic league, Luis Neto is likely to draw the assignment. Fabio Coentrao and Joao Periera should start at their usual left back and right back slots respectively.

While Joao Moutinho is a nailed on starter in central midfield, the other two spots in Paulo Bento's usual 4-3-3 midfield are up for debate. The Portuguese manager has usually opted for Fenerbache's Raul Meireles and Dynamo Kyiv's Miguel Veloso, neither player however has been in tantalizing form of late. Receiving his first call up young Sporting starlet Andre Santos may push for time while Paulo Machado, Custodio, Ruben Amorim and Ruben Micael are available off the bench. While usually playing on the wing for Portugal, Danny may also be an option in the midfield if more of a creative force is needed.

With only one goal during this campaign, Portugal certainly needs more from talisman Cristiano Ronaldo. The Russian focus will likely be on stopping the superstar which should allow space for other members of the squad to have opportunities. On they other flank, Paulo Bento has a decision on his hands. When healthy Manchester United winger Nani has been a locked in starter but with a sub-par year at United and battling injury problems he may have to settle for a place on the bench. Wolfsburg's Vieirinha was a revelation during the last few international fixtures and may have done enough to keep his starting spot.

At forward, Helder Postiga will likely start once again, the Real Zaragoza forward has a decent scoring record for the national team but his lack of pace and his wastefulness in front of net make him a very polarizing figure and a difficult one to watch. Deportivo forward Nelson Oliviera looked destined to be the future of the position for the national team but has not shown much improvement this year at all. Besiktas forward Hugo Almeida was injured for much of the season but did manage an impressive 9 goals in 11 games this season for the club and is another option off the bench.

Fabio Capello's Russian side has been solid through qualifying and has yet to concede a goal through four games. Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev has been superb and the Portuguese attack will have to be at it's best to beat him on the day. An away draw for Russia would suit them just fine so expect them to sit back and soak in Portuguese pressure early. A draw for Portugal wouldn't be the final nail in their coffin but it would certainly put them on the brink with just three games remaining.

Predicted Portugal Starting XI: Rui Patricio, Fabio Coentrao, Bruno Alves, Luis Neto, Joao Periera, Joao Moutinho, Miguel Veloso, Raul Meireles, Cristiano Ronaldo, Vieirinha, Helder Postiga    

    

 

Keeping Jorge Jesus The Right Move For Benfica?

With just one month left into the season, Benfica head coach Jorge Jesus was leading a charmed life. After all his Benfica side were leading the Portuguese league and in both the Europa League and Portuguese Cup finals. Talk amongst Benfica supporters had them dreaming of the treble season, little did they know what the future really held.

Undefeated in the league all year and with a four point lead with just three games remaining the club seemed destined to be league champions. With a penultimate game away to 2nd place FC Porto, managing all three points at home Estoril was of the uttermost importance. What played out proved to be the first nail in Benfica's horrific season ending collapse. Held at halftime, Estoril took the lead early in the second half but a Maxi Periera volley would level things midway through the second half. Two yellow cards in short order to Portuguese international Carlos Martins saw the team reduced to ten men and nearly lose the game. All in all, the Benfica lead at the top of the league was down to two points after a 1-1 home draw.

With everything now to play for at the Estadio Do Dragao, both clubs traded goals in the first half and the match seemed destined for a draw, a result that would have suited Benfica fine. That all changed in stoppage time when FC Porto substitute Kelvin fired home and sent the home crowd into delirium and Jorge Jesus down to his knees. The championship was now out of their hands and an FC Porto win on the last match day against Pacos Ferriera would confirm Benfica's fate to second place.

Sizable underdogs heading into the Europa League final against English Premier League club Chelsea, the choice to bench star striker Lima and replace him with Rodrigo was not a popular decision in most football circles. A 60th minute Fernando Torres opening goal for Chelsea was soon cancelled out by an Oscar Cardozo penalty kick goal. It was once again in stoppage time where Benfica hearts would break, Branislav Ivanovic would head home a corner with just a minute of time to play to give Chelsea a 2-1 Europa League final win.

With two trophies now out of their hands, a date with mid-table Portuguese club Vitoria Guimaraes in the Portuguese Cup final would surely stop the bleeding or so most people thought. A bit of fortune off a clearance allowed Benfica to go ahead through Nicholas Gaitan but once again the team would collapse in the final stages as Guimares would score twice in the final ten minutes through some shoddy Benfica defence. From possible treble winners to winning absolutely nothing, the campaign ended in absolute disaster. Perhaps the most indicative image of the season came after the final whistle when substituted striker Cardozo was caught on camera shoving Jorge Jesus and lambasting him for seemingly being taken off.

Having had such a dismal end to the season and with player dissent seemingly on the rise at the club, the future of Jorge Jesus was very much in doubt. However, news on Tuesday broke that his contract has indeed been extended at the club until June 2015. How supporters react to the news will be interesting, the club won one league championship and three Portuguese cup trophies since he took over in 2009 but would have starting from scratch with a new coach after such a tumultuous ending to the season perhaps have been the smarter move for the club. One thing is for sure, next season will start with more questions than answers for Portugal's most popular club.