World Cup 2018 team preview: Portugal has questions beyond Cristiano Ronaldo
World Cup appearance: 7th
Best World Cup finish: 3rd place (1966)
2014 finish: Group stage (1-1-1)
Qualifying: Topped UEFA Group B ahead of Switzerland
Schedule: Spain (Friday, June 15, 2 p.m., Fox), Morocco (Wednesday, June 20, 8 a.m., FS1), Iran (Monday, June 25, 2 p.m., Fox/FS1)
Squad
Manager: Fernando Santos
Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo (F)
Top players: Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva (M)
Full 23-man squad
Breakdown
Why they’ll win games:There's a tolerable measure of high-to mid-level ability in the squad. Be that as it may, all waterways stream to Ronaldo. He is essentially exciting, and the focal point for all that Portugal does going ahead. His essence renders strength or control of a diversion pointless, in light of the fact that one snapshot of splendor can turn it on its head. That enables Santos to program his group in a moderately protective stance – the main reason it surrendered only one knockout-round objective in transit to an Euro 2016 title, and only four all through qualifying.
Why they’ll lose games: There are developing worries about the back four that made that cautious progress, however. The contenders to begin at focus back are presently 34, 35 and 36 years of age. The main prospect who has developed, Ruben Dias, simply turned 21 and most likely isn't prepared. Portugal, along these lines, needs to play warily to ensure them. What's more, that is an issue, particularly against lesser adversaries. Portugal isn't great at dismantling minnows. Bernardo Silva is excessively compelled by the framework. Other gifted assailants don't have puts in the beginning 11. Santos' careful approach worked two summers prior, however that doesn't mean it'll work this time around.
How they’ll play:With one holding midfielder, three focal ish midfielders in front of him, and two up top … however with a peculiar absence of dynamism. The assault is extremely cross-overwhelming, to a limited extent since it is so subject to Ronaldo, yet additionally to some degree on the grounds that there is an unwillingness to attempt different roads. Portugal will once in a while press savagely high up the field; it won't over-burden focal assaulting territories and haul protectors out of position. It will play at a moderately moderate pace, and won't be especially engaging, unless the ball is at Ronaldo's feet.
Projected lineup (4-1-3-2): Rui Patricio; Cedric, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Raphael Guerreiro; William Carvalho; Joao Mario, Joao Moutinho, Bernardo Silva; Cristiano Ronaldo, Andre Silva.The two spots up for snatches, doubtlessly, are Alves' and Moutinho's. Dias or Jose Fonte could begin in front of the 36-year-old Alves. Adrien Silva would be the best choice to supplant Moutinho. Goncalo Guedes is a trump card, and is absolutely one of Portugal's 11 best players, however doesn't appear to have a place in Santos' setup.
