Group J whipping boys Liechtenstein host runaway leaders Portugal in the penultimate UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying clash.
Liechtenstein are a young team in the context of the others who have played international football at the highest level for years, particularly Group J powerhouse Portugal. They only began competing since taking part in the qualifiers for the Euro 1996, and this could be the first time they finish a campaign without a single point on board.
It has been a disastrous campaign for Liechtenstein, with Konrad Funfstuck’s side scoring only once during their journey. They have also conceded 25 times in those eight games and are now guaranteed to finish bottom of Group J.
The already dreadful campaign can worsen when Portugal come visiting. But Funfstuck and Liechtenstein will aim to finish this campaign on the highest note possible. Playing for pride is all they have now. But more importantly, they should still work hard towards conceding less.
Roberto Martinez will come into this clash as a satisfied manager, having seen through a near-flawless campaign with Portugal. The Selecao have had some turbulence in their games against second-placed Slovakia. But beyond that, they have been just about perfect.
O regresso a casa 😏 #VesteABandeira pic.twitter.com/xQtVCt17dq
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) November 13, 2023
Portugal will probably finish this qualification campaign as the most prolific team of all, and they have conceded only two goals during their eight games so far. For many of their players, these games will come across as a “stat-padding” opportunity, to quote online lingo, something those stars have exploited when playing lowly teams.
With this game just about another dead rubber, the only exciting part would be to see how many goals they can score against the bottom-placed side in Group J. Overall, this clash has all the hallmarks of a massive drubbing, which will only help improve the confidence of Martinez’s side.
Team News & Tactics
Liechtenstein
Konrad Funfstuck will continue to name a starting lineup of his most experienced players. Centre-back Martin Marxer will probably be their least cap player in the lineup with seven games under his belt. Liechtenstein skipper Nicolas Hasler continues to miss out of action with the injury he picked up against Luxembourg in June.
They are also missing Fabio Wolfinger, but his brother Sandro Wolfinger is available and is the only Liechtenstein scorer in this campaign. His role makes it tricky, but Funfstuck could pick him a pure back five and a midfield four.
Wolfinger will play in the right wide area of the back five, with Funfstuck likely to cement a midfield four of Simon Luchinger, Marcel Buchel, Aron Sele and Livio Meier. In the attack, Dennis Salanovic should lead the line for Liechtenstein.
Probable Lineup (5-4-1): B Buchel; S Wolfinger, Marxer, Weiser, Traber, Goppel; Luchinger, M Buchel, Sele, Meier; Salanovic
Portugal
Roberto Martinez will not be too distracted by some of his missing stars, and instead look to field a balanced squad of mostly regulars and fringe players. A 41-year-old Pepe, who recently became the UEFA Champions League’s oldest-ever goalscorer, should feature at some stage, but probably not from the start.
Dia 2️⃣ ✅ #VesteABandeira
Day 2️⃣ ✅ #WearTheFlag pic.twitter.com/Q1CkkZLt3n
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) November 14, 2023
Martinez would like to use some of his regulars in defence, with Goncalo Inacio and Antonio Silva likely to partner Manchester City star Ruben Dias in a back three. Among the absentees, Danilo Pereira, Pedro Neto and Renato Sanches have not made the squad this time due to fitness issues.
Portugal will continue to field a very hybrid midfield and attacking setup, with Joao Cancelo, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes in the mix. Joao Palhinha should continue to sit at the base of the midfield in that enforcer role, adding protection to the backline and allowing the players ahead of him to put everything into the final third.
Martinez has many options for his leading striker, with Cristiano Ronaldo the likeliest choice to lead the line. The Al-Nassr star would want to play a part and continue to improve his numbers for the national side. Joao Felix will partner with the Portuguese icon up front in a two-prone setup.
Probable Lineup (3-1-4-2): Patricio; A.Silva, Dias, Inacio; Palhinha; Cancelo, Fernandes, B.Silva, Leao; Ronaldo, Felix
Key Stats
- Liechtenstein have not won a single game or point during this Euro 24 qualification campaign.
- Liechtenstein have conceded 25 goals and scored only once during this Euro 24 qualification campaign.
- Portugal have scored 32 times, the most by any team in this European qualifying campaign.
- Only France have allowed fewer goals (1) than Portugal (2) during this UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
- Portugal have won all their games in this qualifying campaign.
Player to Watch
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo literally has 2 careers (before and after 30) and is GOAT in both of them. 🐐🔥 pic.twitter.com/BGteQygei9
— TCR. (@TeamCRonaldo) November 14, 2023
There are plenty of contenders from Portugal to choose from, but none more significant than the enigmatic Cristiano Ronaldo. After a prolific period with Al-Nassr, the Portuguese icon has returned to his best form on the club level and will hope to hit his peak for the national side.
He has missed some games where his team has gone on to win big, and this time, he won’t miss out on the chance to improve his numbers against a lowly side. Hence, Ronaldo will have all the eyeballs fixated on him, which could see him considerably increase his tally for Portugal.
Prediction
Liechtenstein 0-6 Portugal
Liechtenstein only hope to have a respectable result against the flying Portugal, who have ensured the smaller sides have felt their wrath. The home side will prepare for a similar night, as the predictions for the number of goals Roberto Martinez’s side will score have hit the roof.
Our expectation from this prolific Portuguese side is to strike at least six times, although the final result may see a lot more than that. As for Liechtenstein, they do not have the quality to penetrate this Portuguese defence, which will likely see Rui Patricio keep a routine clean sheet.
