Roberto Martinez begins his reign as the Portugal manager with a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier against Liechtenstein.
Lisbon will play host to a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier featuring Portugal against Liechtenstein as Roberto Martinez kick-starts his reign as Portuguese manager. It will be the first time in nine years that Portugal will see a foreign head coach in the dugout.
Martinez would like to see a refreshed side without any disappointments from their World Cup heartbreak. The Selecao lost to Morocco in the quarter-finals of the tournament. However, Martinez would like to develop this squad with the right mixture of youth and experience into challengers.
Segundas-feiras perfeitas: eles estΓ£o de volta! π #VesteABandeira
Our boys are here. π #WearTheFlag pic.twitter.com/lIf4PUoTXg
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) March 20, 2023
The clear aim for the former Belgium manager would be to qualify for the Euro 2024 and then target a brilliant tournament. He would certainly hope this team’s struggles under predecessor Fernando Santos are over as he looks to begin the new era with a breath of fresh air.
Martinez will take the opportunity of this clash with Liechtenstein and see the quality of his players. While a straightforward victory might prove the end result, the manager might gauge at some of his younger stars and how they fit his system.
Liechtenstein, on the other hand, are one of the worst-performing teams in recent years. Their terrible displays at the last edition of the UEFA Nations League saw them finish bottom of their group with no points to show.
In some of their recent defeats, Liechtenstein have taken heavy beatings, including a 9-0 loss to Germain and a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Cape Verde. Against Portugal, their record remains abysmal, conceding 35 goals in seven games, including two 8-0 defeats away from home.
Team News & Tactics
Portugal
Roberto Martinez decided to keep some balance in the team and chose to call up Cristiano Ronaldo to his setup. The 38-year-old national team captain, despite his move to Saudi side Al-Nassr, remains a key player for the national side.
O ritmo nΓ£o abranda, o objetivo nΓ£o muda: π©π²π»π°π²πΏ πͺπ΅πΉ #VesteABandeira
The pace doesn't slow down, our goal doesn't change: πͺπΆπ»π»πΆπ»π΄ πͺπ΅πΉ #WearTheFlag pic.twitter.com/slMaFwonTn
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) March 21, 2023
Another veteran, Pepe, was originally included in the squad but had to pull out due to an injury. Martinez has barely made any changes from the World Cup squad as he looks to test his wits with this set of players. Danilo and Antonio Silva could form a defensive partnership. The manager will look to experiment with his defensive style against minnows Liechtenstein.
Joao Cancelo has a place in the lineup at right back, with Raphael Guerreiro on the left. Premier League trio Ruben Neves, Bernardo Silva, and Bruno Fernandes will operate in a midfield three as Martinez looks to keep an attacking shape.
With Ronaldo’s selection, the Selecao skipper remains the firm choice to lead the line. He will have Chelsea loanee Joao Felix operating as a second striker or from a wide role. The frontline will also see the inclusion of Milan man Rafael Leao, with plenty of goals expected from this encounter.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3):Β Costa; Cancelo, Danilo, Antonio Silva, Guerreiro; Fernandes, Neves, Bernardo Silva; Felix, Ronaldo, Leao
Liechtenstein
Like Portugal, Liechtenstein also saw a change in management. Martin Stocklasa left to join FC Vaduz, with the national team side having at least six players from the Swiss club. Rene Pauritsch took temporary charge of the team and will remain in the dugout for this international break, at the very least.
There are fewer FC Vaduz players than in previous squads, with only six this time. Liechtenstein’s all-time goalscorer Noah Frick’s son Mario Frick makes the cut, but his brother Yanik Frick left out of the squad.
The Liechtenstein team will play under the captaincy of Nicolas Hasler. He also happens to be their all-time active appearance holder and goalscorer. Going by how they set up in previous games last year, Pauritsch will likely retain a back three and go with two upfront.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2):Β Buchel; Yildiz, Hofer, Traber; S. Wolfinger, Luchinger, Hasler, M.Wolfinger; Frick; Gassner, Kardesoglu
Key Stats
- Liechtenstein have lost each of their last five games across all competitions.
- Liechtenstein have scored only once in their last five games.
- Portugal have not had a foreign manager in over nine years.
- Portugal have scored 35 goals in their last seven games against Liechtenstein.
- Portugal have won three of their last five international fixtures.
Player to Watch
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo and Leao in training today. π΅πΉπ€© pic.twitter.com/s8C6eqcjEU
— TCR. (@TeamCRonaldo) March 22, 2023
Ronaldo will have all the focus around him as he returns to European football. The superstar has recently hit good form for Al-Nassr. And Roberto Martinez felt the need to include the forward in his initial plans. Under Fernando Santos, the veteran striker was repeatedly sitting on the bench in the latter games of the World Cup, something Ronaldo hopes will change.
Ronaldo will be eager to make a point to his new national team boss and may then test himself to lead the team into Euro 2024. Many will criticise the forward and suggest he should retire to give way to young stars. However, the all-time top scorer may feel he still has the legs for one last big tournament.
Prediction
Portugal 5-0 Liechtenstein
The score predictions are modest, considering any top team could have a free run at this Liechtenstein defence. The visitors are among the worst-performing sides in world football, ranked at an astonishing 198th. While a shock result in Lisbon may not be on the cards, it is all about how many Portugal score past them.
In the last seven meetings between the two sides, Portugal have thumped in 35 goals, including two 8-0 victories. A similar outcome might materialise as the players will look to impress Roberto Martinez. They would also look to get their qualification journey off to a flying start.
