Portugal【Qatar World Cup:Full Explanation】

・For a long time, Santos has consistently prioritized building a team based on “solid defense and quick attack,” placing the highest priority on offensive and defensive balance, leaving all the offensive work to the rare striker C. Ronaldo, and maximizing offensive power on the counter. Tactically, the team plays a passive style of soccer that does not concern itself with possession, but rather lets the opponent have the ball and patiently waits for their chances.

　This tactic, combined with the world-class talent of B. Fernandez, B. Silva, and Cancelo, and the creativity of the next generation of star candidates such as N. Mendes, Vitinha, and R. Leão, has led to a technical soccer game.

・In the March playoffs, the team adopted an extremely aggressive formation with Ronaldo in the first lineup and four attackers in the second row, and in both games, the ball control rate jumped significantly to over 60%.

　Going into the World Cup in Qatar with a system that accepts the risk of conceding goals in exchange for an unconventional offensive system will be a “big gamble” for the Portuguese team. Whether or not it will work against a strong team remains to be seen. However, the current squad has the talent to allow it to do so.

・The presence of the hugely influential Ronaldo could be a “double-edged sword. For a long time, the team has depended on Ronaldo’s scoring and decision-making ability, and his absence could cause major changes in the team.

・”The Beautiful Destroyer”

・Known as “CR7”, he is a rare striker. He has scored more than 800 official goals, won the Ballon d’Or five times, won the UEFA Champions League five times, and holds the record for most goals scored in the competition’s history (141).

・He also has 191 caps for Portugal, and at the World Cup in Qatar, he could overtake Malaysia’s Soh Chin Ann’s world record of 195 caps.

・His weapon of choice is his overwhelming decisiveness. His pinpoint movement to match crosses and outflows is at the top level. He has a wide variety of shooting patterns, such as a high point head that makes use of his leaping ability, a strong mid-shot without rotation, and a dynamic bicycle shot that gets the stands excited.

・”The best offensive SB in the world”

・Known as an attacking sideback who can play both backs, he adds depth to Manchester City’s attack with his speedy overlaps and accurate crosses.

・As a “false SB”, he is a player who stays inside in the build-up and participates in the passing game, but in the last 30 meters, he opens up his attacking ability and breaks into the opposition’s territory to cross and shoot powerfully through the middle.

・Because of its high offensive performance, it faces challenges on the defensive side.

・”The Little Magician”

・He is a rare mitt-fielder who possesses all the abilities required of an attacker at a high level, including passing, dribbling and shooting.

・He excels at using his small dribbling skills to play around the opposing DF, and his last passes and finishes break up the situation. His ability to hold the ball up when surrounded by multiple opponents is also astonishing, and he can draw opponents to the spot to create space.

・He is also a defensively-minded player who shows up in all areas of the field for 90 minutes with his abundant athleticism. He can also be used as a winger, a top player, or an inside half.

・”Creator willing to do the hard work”

・An attacker who can be directly involved in goal, mainly in the top half of the field. He combines originality and skill with a strong mid-range shot. He has a wide field of vision and completely dominates the midfield, providing accurate through passes and crosses with the best timing between the receiver and the sender to create the decisive moment.

・He scores with strong mid-shots and direct free kicks. He also often jumps in front of the goal at the right time to score, and is also noted for his off-the-ball play when he does not have the ball.

・He puts in more offensive and defensive hard work than anyone else and supports the team with his dedicated defense.

・”Perfect CB”

・A defensive leader with a high level of qualities needed in the center pack. He is at the top of his game in all aspects of defending against, covering, and building up, and he keeps his opponents at bay in both ground and aerial battles.

・He shows fighting spirit and leadership even in difficult situations, and is often seen loudly inspiring his team from the rear.

・”Heart of Portugal”

・He is a key player in offense and defense, controlling the game from midfield by scattering long and short passes that seem to thread the needle. He is a key player in the midfield, controlling the game from the offensive and defensive positions. His long ball accuracy is one of the best in the Premier League.

・He also has a destructive and powerful mid-shot, and has made many gorassos in his career.

・”Destroyer of the left side”

・A speedster who cuts through the left side of the field with his strong, flexible physicality and explosive speed. His smooth, fine-touch, propulsive dribbling is nearly impossible to stop, even for a professional defender. Once in the vital area, he can produce game-deciding goals and assists with both feet.

・Last season, he helped Milan regain the Scudetto. He also won the Serie A MVP award after scoring double-digit goals and assists himself.

・”Skanda”

・At the age of 19, he is one of the best left backs of the next generation and a regular in PSG’s starting lineup.

・He is a super-aggressive SB with a wide variety of vertical passes, high-speed crosses, and sharp breakthroughs. He uses his freakish speed to dribble down the left flank, and even if you know he’s going to make a move, it’s not easy to stop him without a foul.

・He still has a thin frame, and there are still some concerns about his defense against opponents, coordination with others, and care for space behind him, but if he improves his defensive skills, he should become one of the best left backs in the world.