Portugal vs Turkey preview

Euro favourites Portugal will kick off their campaign in Group A when they face Fatih Terim’s Turkey in Geneva.

Portugal had a disastrous start to Euro 2004, losing 1-2 to eventual champions Greece. Although they did recover to reach the final, it is not difficult to understand why Scolari and the players want a victory here. Portugal are spoilt for choice in midfield and attack. They have three world class wingers in Simao, Ricardo Quaresma and Cristiano Ronaldo. Maniche misses out on this tournament, but Scolari still has Nani, Deco, Miguel Veloso and Joao Moutinho competing for starting in midfield. Ricardo will start in goal. Bosingwa being fit means one of Miguel and Paulo Ferreira will fill the left back spot. Pepe and Bruno Alves will compete for the right to partner Carvalho in the heart of defence. Going by Portugal’s one man upfront policy, Nuno Gomes looks the most likely man to start ahead.

Turkey missed Euro 2004 after a surprising exit in the playoffs at the hands of Latvia. Coach Fatih Terim has chosen not to take veteran Hakan Sukur to this tournament. There are some injury concerns in the Turkish lineup- Hamit Altintop with a muscle prolem, and Sanli Tuncay with a back injury. Nihat Kahveci should start upfront. Impressive rightback Gokhan misses this tournament because of a metatarsal injury. Turkey’s defenders will have their work cut out, with the galaxy of stars that Portugal possess. Marking Ronaldo will be a key, but they also need to take care of players like Nuno Gomes, who scored a brace the last time these two teams met- at Euro 2000. Volkan Demirel will get the nod ahead of the experienced Rustu in goal.

Turkey’s last win against Portugal came in 1955. Portugal won the games between these two teams in Euro’96 and Euro 2000, and have remained unbeaten since October 2006.
Portugal to win this 2-1, with goals from Gomes, Ronaldo and Aurelio.