“Portugal are not the favourites to win the European Championship. No one says that Portugal are going to win. But we will do our job quietly. And we will try to progress as far as we can,” goalkeeper Beto told the press after Portugal defeated Denmark in the group stages.
It is all happening now. From the “Group of Death”, the former European Championship hosts have managed to reach the semi-finals at Euro 2012. They are only one game away from the final in Ukraine.
How Portugal turned around a disappointing year
How Portugal managed to shake off their nerves and turn around the atmosphere in the camp is simply remarkable. They went into Euro 2012 having not won a single game since the beginning of the year.
Goalless draws against Poland and Macedonia made fans worry about Portugal’s capability to score goals. Losing 3-1 to Turkey on earlier in June made things even worse. The Portuguese national team’s last warm-up game failed to go as planned.
Nani’s strike was overshadowed by an own-goal from Pepe and a missed opportunity from the penalty spot via Ronaldo. Pressure upon Paulo Bento to control the nation’s fortune ahead of Euro 2012 instantly increased.
Football experts tipped Portugal to crumble under the hurdles of Group B, otherwise called the “Group of Death”. It is quite simple to understand how pundits came to this conclusion. Portugal’s Group B rivals, Germany and the Netherlands, looked in far better shape a few days before the start of the tournament.
The Dutch even got tagged as favourites to win Group B following their moral boosting 6-0 win over Northern Ireland in Amsterdam.
When Portugal lost their opening match 1-0 to Germany, a bad breath emerged from within their
camp through the media. Cristiano Ronaldo was the first to go down the tunnel at the end of proceedings, fuelling rumours of divisions in the squad.
Luis Figo and Rui Costa made public comments criticizing Paulo Bento’s tactical approach. Meanwhile, football analysts favoured underdogs Denmark to rub salt on Portugal’s wounds in the next match.
However, the Portuguese put themselves back together and snatched three vital points against the Danes. This came in bizarre fashion, though.
Terrific team effort denied Nicklas Bendtner from stealing the show with his brace. At the other end of the field, skipper Cristiano Ronaldo made the horror miss of UEFA Euro 2012. The Messi chants in the hostile crowd must have got the better of Ronaldo.
Coach Paulo Bento decided to bring on Varela as a late substitute and the forward indeed saved the day. His lashing strike completed Portugal’s eventful 3-2 victory. Cristiano Ronaldo could breathe again but the job to reach the UEFA Euro 2012 quarter-finals was not done yet.
The all-for-Ronaldo, Ronaldo-for-all policy
After two matches in the competition and a couple of glorious chances to score, the Real Madrid was still goalless. As stunning as it looked, it urged Cristiano Ronaldo to break free from the chains that long prevented him from truly shining on the big stage for the Portuguese national team.
In the all-important clash against the Netherlands, Cristiano Ronaldo transformed into an unleashed lion hungry for meat and pride. He tore the Dutch apart with his unmatchable speed and his fierce shots. The Oranje got served with their own juice on that night.
In the newspapers, Ronaldo was applauded for his heroics. Despite all the satisfaction of netting a brace to seal Portugal’s 2-1 comeback, the Portugal skipper downplayed his achievement by stating:
“Without the team, we wouldn't have won.”
He was right to say so. Paulo Bento’s new formula is at work. The change came on time. Wigan coach Roberto Martinez was full of praise for the Portuguese coach during an interview with UEFA.com on Sunday.
“I am fascinated how Paulo Bento has found the perfect, winning formula for Portugal,” Martinez said.
“He deserves huge credit. It was a very astute tactical change to free Ronaldo [against the Dutch and the Czechs] and allow all the good play.”
Indeed, praises must go to every single member in the Portuguese national team, including the coach. In truth, every bad thing that happened to Cristiano Ronaldo against Denmark was a blessing in disguise. The self-claimed perfectionist needed that urge to perform. Thankfully for Ronaldo, he has reliable team mates.
“If one player wasn't playing good today, the team will help him,” Portugal’s reserve goalkeeper told the press in the aftermath of Ronaldo’s miserable game against the Danes.
“That's how we think, because we don't live for one player. The team is the most important thing, and I think the team will deal with this situation.”
A period in Portuguese football that could be remembered as the Cristiano Ronaldo years
The days of Eusebio, Luis Figo, Pauleta and Rui Costa are long gone. None of these legends managed to lift a major trophy despite coming very close.
Among Portuguese fans, all hopes are on skipper Cristiano Ronaldo to end the country’s title drought. Charismatic players like Cristiano Ronaldo are not born in every country so Portuguese football must make the most of this opportunity.
At 27, Ronaldo is already a few matches away from getting his 100th cap with the Portuguese national team. The former Sporting Lisbon and Manchester United player is at the prime of his career and there is perhaps more to come from him.
It is true that Portugal are not just Ronaldo as Roberto Martinez explained when he said, “For me, the strength of that group is the midfield three with Veloso, Moutinho and Meireles.”
In addition, Portugal can boast about their tight defence and their mental power. Key player Miguel Veloso was quick to single these out while speaking to UEFA.com last Monday. He reportedly declared:
“I think the secret of our success is knowing how to defend, knowing how to handle the pressure, and the humility we show on the pitch, and our unity. Not just the midfield but all the parts of the team, from the defence and the goalkeeper to the forwards.”
Portugal’s gifted team is like a pyramid and at the summit there is Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain. The Real Madrid superstar has a big ego and Bento has found the way to make good use of it as Roberto Martinez believes.
“I think they give a fantastic balance and they are a really good combination but obviously, in any team, you need to score goals. That comes from Cristiano Ronaldo,” said the Wigan manager.
“He can afford just to appear in the game and be very effective because he is completely free, he starts on the left-hand side but he'll come through the middle, play in between lines and get in behind people.
“You'll see him having one-on-ones everywhere on the pitch. They are very strong as a team but they can rely on one of the best players of this generation, in Cristiano Ronaldo.”
According to Xabi Alonso, Spain will not have a special plan to contain Cristiano Ronaldo. In fact, La Furia Roja's possessive and passing game is hard to deal with.
However, if the Ronaldo policy works out well, Portugal would give their Iberian neighbours a tough fight. The Portuguese have just begun clicking perfectly and they are determined to avoid disappointment after going this far in the tournament.
During Wednesday night's Euro 2012 semi-final match between Spain and Portugal, mental power could end up having a bigger meaning than tactics. Just remember that skipper Cristiano Ronaldo has the wild dream of snatching the FIFA Ballon d'Or trophy away from titleholder and rival Lionel Messi...
