Euro 2012 Preview: Portugal vs Spain

Team News: Portugal have always had striker problems and their first-choice Helder Postiga will not be available for the Euro 2012 semifinal against Spain. Hugo Almeida will step in with Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani on either side of him. One advantage with this change could be the aerial threat that Almeida provides. For Spain, it’s the same old story of whether they choose to play Fernando Torres or Cesc Fabregas up front. Or will Vicente del Bosque spring the ultimate surprise by playing Fernando Llorente? From the camps: Paulo Bento had a flashback about the thrashing his side dished out to Spain in November (4-0), but is sticking to reality at the moment: “The thing we believe in is that it is very, very difficult to repeat a result like that but we believe we can win again. Also, we have only beaten Spain back in Portugal so we are keen to change that. Our aim is not to defend all the time. We know we can cause a lot of problems.” [caption id=“attachment_359351” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Ronaldo and Xavi will be instrumental for both sides. AFP”]  [/caption] As for Del Bosque, he fully understands the Ronaldo effect: “Ronaldo is not only a great player, but he plays in Spain, so that’s obviously a factor. We have to deactivate him. He has carried Portugal on his shoulders in their last two games and he will be very difficult to stop.” Did you know: Spain have won 16 times in the last 34 meetings between the sides. But out of these, 14 have come before 1960. The last time they met, Portugal humiliated Spain and subjected them to their worst defeat since 1963 after beating them 4-0. In their major tournament battles, they have met three times. Both teams have a win each and played out a draw. Portugal love scoring goals, but they also have a habit of hitting the crossbar and the post. They have hit the woodwork six times this tournament. But Spain will be hard to score against. They have conceded just one goal in this tournament. Ronaldo will be vital to Portugal… and has taken 30 shots in Euro 2012- the most in any one particular tournament. Passes Spain have completed- 2623. Passes Portugal have completed- 1159.