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Bento appears to have found a good balance between defense and attack. That was something that his predecessor, Carlos Queiroz, struggled to manage. Portugal’s display at the 2010 World Cup summed it up – it kept clean sheets in three of its four matches, yet also scored in only one game.
Bento has given Portugal slightly more attacking freedom. Not too much – because, frankly, Portugal doesn’t have the players to execute an extremely open game. It lacks a true No. 10 – there’s no Rui Costa, no Deco. Raul Meireles shuttles forward and links play, and Joao Moutinho offers great guile on the ball from a deeper position. But Portugal’s play is based upon the counterattack, primarily down the flanks.
It is slightly difficult to judge the success of this approach, despite the qualification. Against Germany, for example, Portugal was beaten, but not convincingly so. Against Denmark, it picked up three points but had thrown away a 2-0 lead with some basic defensive mistakes, hinting at an inability to cope with sustained pressure and aerial balls. Against the Netherlands, Portugal eventually prevailed comfortably – but versus a Dutch side needing a 2-0 win, and therefore relentlessly pushing men forward even when 1-0 up. That played into Portugal’s counterattacking mindset, a luxury it simply won’t enjoy in the knockout stages, especially if it concedes the first goal.
More at http://espnfc.com/us/en/news/1108435/michael-cox-.html
Bento has given Portugal slightly more attacking freedom. Not too much – because, frankly, Portugal doesn’t have the players to execute an extremely open game. It lacks a true No. 10 – there’s no Rui Costa, no Deco. Raul Meireles shuttles forward and links play, and Joao Moutinho offers great guile on the ball from a deeper position. But Portugal’s play is based upon the counterattack, primarily down the flanks.
It is slightly difficult to judge the success of this approach, despite the qualification. Against Germany, for example, Portugal was beaten, but not convincingly so. Against Denmark, it picked up three points but had thrown away a 2-0 lead with some basic defensive mistakes, hinting at an inability to cope with sustained pressure and aerial balls. Against the Netherlands, Portugal eventually prevailed comfortably – but versus a Dutch side needing a 2-0 win, and therefore relentlessly pushing men forward even when 1-0 up. That played into Portugal’s counterattacking mindset, a luxury it simply won’t enjoy in the knockout stages, especially if it concedes the first goal.
More at http://espnfc.com/us/en/news/1108435/michael-cox-.html
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