Comments on: Portugal 2-3 Germany – Live Blog – Quarterfinals – Euro 2008

By: Victor Li

Victor Li — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:59:29 +0000

Good to hear from you, Dan. I disagree about resting your players. If Portugal had played their guys against Switzerland, and Ronaldo, Deco, or Simao had gotten hurt, then it would have been a dumb risk to take. Germany was lucky that Podolski wasn’t seriously hurt. Even though Frings hasn’t played well, he’s important to the team and Germany would have rather had him out there instead of Rolfes.

One thing that people don’t seem to be talking about regarding Ronaldo is that Man U really protected him and made him look good. He had Rooney and Tevez, two forwards who are unselfish and spend a lot of time winning balls in midfield and setting up other players. If Ronaldo thinks Ruud and Raul will do that for him, he’s delusional. Plus, I’m sure there’s no love lost between Ronaldo and Ruud from their Man U days (the “go tell your daddy” comment, for instance).

By: There's only 1 Keano

There's only 1 Keano — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 06:42:03 +0000

Sure he can’t finish but he can sure create.That’s what Portugal lacked… a creator.Ronaldo was too busy looking to add to his fabulous goal tally that he’d even consider creating a goal.

By: Ahmed Bilal

Ahmed Bilal — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 06:11:38 +0000

Nani can’t finish most chances that come his way.

By: There's only 1 Keano

There's only 1 Keano — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 06:01:05 +0000

May i also take this opportunity to congratulate the Germans.Portugal did not lose this game… they got beaten.The Germans played a very high tempo game and let the ball do the running.In contrast the Portugese had to many ball players, everyone trying to beat their man before passing.

PS:Scolari Why didn’t NANI start?

By: There's only 1 Keano

There's only 1 Keano — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 05:53:34 +0000

WILL THEY EVER LEARN?Don’t these managers know that Cris is a winger not a striker?He needs to be facing the goal to be effective and not with his back to it.He loves to be on the recieving end of a one-two and not being the wall…

By: There's only 1 Keano

There's only 1 Keano — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 05:50:46 +0000

Good point Victor but my main gripe is mainly with Crisiano, if you notice how other players react to him its ridiculous.Nobody has the nerve to tell him that he should have passed instead of shooting.On top of that you see his reaction when somebody messes up trying to do something.This is due to all the circus around him, all these 100m transfer fees being bandied around so much that he actually believes he’s that good.

By: Daniel Chung

Daniel Chung — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 05:15:41 +0000

The result really shows me how important it is for teams to maintain their momentum after two group stage wins. I understand the concern for creating needless injuries and fatigue, but to field a second string side that lost to Switzerland was a mistake in my opinion. Sure hindsight is always 20/20, but I think keeping your upswing in tournaments is such an important psychological factor. My opinion is going to be contested by some and I accept that. But did a well rested Ronaldo, Simao and company perform when it really counted? By the way, I truly think Chelsea acted without any class by announcing Scolari’s appointment. Not only to Portugal, but to the entire tournament as a whole. There’s a time and place and surely after the final whistle of the final game could have been the time. What was the point of Chelsea making that announcement at that moment? A total absence of class.

By: Victor Li

Victor Li — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 21:50:24 +0000

I’m glad you brought this up. I don’t think it was much of a factor. I’m surprised Scolari announced he would be going to Chelsea before the Euros ended, but if he didn’t, there would have been endless speculation about him, too. That stuff always leaks. That being said, I’m sure his team wasn’t amused about how effusive he was in his praise for Ballack. Plus, the Ronaldo circus has been going on for so long, I’m sure no one was phased by it. There’s speculation about Deco, too. Same with Podolski on the German side. Bottom line, these guys are professionals and they all have to deal with some level of distraction.

By: There's only 1 Keano

There's only 1 Keano — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 21:27:31 +0000

Doesn’t anyone think that all the circus surrounding Portugal, with regard to Scolari and Ronaldo, might just have caused them to lose focus?

By: Step

Step — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 21:18:43 +0000

Extremely disappointed felt Portugal were very unlucky as they had more possession, more determination, and many more corners and goal scoring opportunities however Germany deserve credit for taking advantage of portugal’s weak defending on set pieces.