Portuguese Euro 08 challenge not quite what it seems?

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Tom Hornsby makes a serious challenge to those predicting success for Portugal as they become the first team to qualify for the quarter finals. "Confidence .....Portugal may be forgiven for exuding it" But do their early results serve only to mask their weaker structural integrity?

Wonderful thing, confidence and after victories over Turkey and Czech Republic, racking up five goals in the process, Portugal might be forgiven for exuding it.

"Our main aim was to get to the next phase. I'm very happy to have helped my team-mates to win," said Ronaldo after scoring in their 3-1 win."We played well in the first match and again in this match. If we carry on like this, we have a good chance."

Portugal were certainly impressive. In Ronaldo, Simao and Deco they have the sort of players who can conjure a goal in an instant, match winners whose moments of magic have become their trademarks. You watch Portugal and expect a trick or two.

But for all the showmanship on display last night, Portugal’s technical expertise only served to mask their weaker structural integrity.

They might boast Ronaldo et al across their midfield but Felipe Scolari’s decision to deploy a lone striker in the form of either Nuno Gomes or Ricardo Quaresma will hardly instil fear at the heart of a defence. Unbelievably, Quaresma’s injury time tap in last night was the first by a Portuguese forward at this tournament.

Portugal looked similarly flimsy through the centre of their midfield. Playing five across the park should give the likes of Deco and Moutinho the freedom they need to dictate proceedings with the wing wonders providing an attacking outlet, leaving Petit to sit and protect his back four. Trouble is he’s hardly a readymade holding player, someone capable of tidying up or putting his foot in when need be. Gennaro Gattuso he isn’t.

It’s in defence though that Scolari’s men appear most vulnerable. Individually they’re strong. Collectively, it’s a shambles. Paulo Ferreira in particular has looked uncomfortable during this tournament and was found wanting badly against Turkey’s Colin Kazim-Richards in the opening game. Playing out of position and unable to count on the attack minded Simao or Ronaldo to provide additional cover - the pair often swapping flanks making their defensive roles even more confusing - Ferreira was exposed time and again to the excellent Libor Sionko who fashioned numerous chances from the left channel including the Czech’s first half goal.

In fact, Portugal’s defence looked uncomfortable all evening from quality deliveries from wide positions as Milan Baros, not known for his aerial prowess, as well as Sionko threatened the Portuguese goal. The introduction of Jan Koller, all 6’8 of him, only served to further undermine their title tilt with goalkeeper Ricardo seemingly flummoxed by anything the Czech’s threw at him.

With their place in the last eight assured, Portugal can afford to be confident. Only time will tell whether it’s been misplaced.

Tom Hornsby

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