France 2-1 Portugal: Fernando Santos changed the team but not the results
Only two and a half weeks after taking office, Fernando Santos was unable to do better than Juca, Otto Gloria, the technical Commission of 1984 (Fernando Cabrita, António Morais, Toni and José Augusto), António Oliveira (twice), Artur Jorge, Humberto Coelho and Luiz Felipe Scolari.They all tried to take of the Gallic team won for the first time since the triumph of team of José Maria Pedroto in 1975, all of them were defeated.Fernando Santos, however, was keen to cut with the past. For the first time in a long time, dared to give up the 4-3-3 which already all knew of color and sautéed, especially opponents.Risked a front mobile with Danny more indented, Ronaldo and Nani without fixed positions and the truth is that even without a spearhead as offensive reference, Portugal created a lot of difficulties to the French defensive. Just arrived at the goal from the penalty spot, but it's certainly a system that deserves a new chance. Not least because it puts the tactic at the service of players and not players in the service of a rigid schema and misfit.In midfield, the aggressiveness of James was very welcome (thanks Simeone). William Carvalho just went in at the break but showed that must be holder. Such as the man from Atletico Madrid. André Gomes and Joao Moutinho were far from their best and are far from having the place guaranteed because João Mário entered very well in the second part.The defense was arguably the Achilles ' heel of the team, especially the side bands. Cédric and Elisha felt many difficulties over the 90 minutes. Both goals of the French revealed a frightening Portuguese team's passivity.Portugal lost but left the four lines head on. It hasn't always been the case in recent times.
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