Venue: Deutsche Bank Park (Frankfurt) Time: 7 pm Referee: Daniel Orsato (Italy) Portugal's momentum was spoilt by the less fa
Venue: Deutsche Bank Park (Frankfurt)
Time: 7 pm
Referee: Daniel Orsato (Italy)
Portugal’s momentum was spoilt by the less fancied Georgia in the final game of their group after the Selecao was beaten 2-0. Even though Roberto Martinez made many changes in that game, the squad he paraded against Willy Sagnol’s Georgia was a fearful one.
Portugal came from behind to beat Czechia 2-1 in matchday 1 and hit top form when they massacred Turkey 3-0 in the second game of the group. The performance against Turkey is the one Roberto Martinez will wish his side will put up against the unbreakable Slovenia on Monday night.
Bruno Fernandes, Bernado Silva, Pepe, Nuno Mendes and Raphael Leao are all expected to come back to the starting XI on Monday.
The star-studded Portugal faces a tricky test in a side that are very well organised. Slovenia has lost just once in their last 16 games in all competitions having beaten Portugal 2-0 in the process in a friendly game.
Led by Atlético Madrid’s great goalkeeper Jan Oblak in post, the back four of Bijol and Drkusic in the centre-back role has been solid and they are expected to keep a close eye on Cristiano Ronaldo. Karnicnik and Janza are two full backs who have put up a good show for the minnows but Janza will miss this fixture due to Yellow Cards accumulation.
Elsnik, Cerin have protected the back four with their awareness and hard work making things difficult for opponents to expose Slovenia. Youngster Benjamin Sesko and Panathinaikos’ Sporar are two forwards who love to have a duel with opponent defenders. Wingers Stojanovic and Mlakar have supported the full backs with their hardwork and are expected to start.
Portugal have super stars and have everything to triumph against Slovenia but the minnows cannot be underrated.
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