Portugal will continue their preparations for this summer’s European Championship on Saturday night with a glamor friendly against fellow UEFA Euro 2024 participants Croatia.
Roberto Martinez’s side won 4-2 over Finland last time out, while Croatia go into the match on the back of a 3-0 win over North Macedonia.
Martinez’s record since taking over as Portugal’s head coach after the 2022 World Cup stands at 12 wins and one draw from 13 games, and the 50-year-old will be bidding to lead his side to success at Euro 2024.
France and England are considered by many to be the favorites for the tournament but Portugal simply cannot be discounted due to the quality and experience in their squad and they know what it takes to win the competition having lifted the trophy in 2016.
The Iberian nation crashed out in the last 16 of Euro 2020 ahead of the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup and it would be a surprise if they do not progress deep into the competition.
Portugal will face the Czech Republic, Turkey, and Georgia in Group F at Euro 2024, with their opening match taking place on 18 June.
Until then, Martinez’s side will face Croatia and the Republic of Ireland in friendlies, coming into this match on the back of a 4-2 success over Finland on Tuesday night.
Team news
Cristiano Ronaldo was not involved in Portugal’s 4-2 win over Finland last time out, but the Al-Nassr striker is expected to be in the squad for the match and should start.
Head coach Martinez will make changes to the side that started Tuesday’s game, with Diogo Costa, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot all set to start.
The fact that Portugal have one more friendly after this before the start of Euro 2024 means that Martinez will use his squad again, but Antonio Silva and Ruben Dias should continue in central defense.
As for Croatia, Dalic’s team is preparing for the European Championships, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see close to the same XI that started against North Macedonia.
Meanwhile, there should be changes again, but the likes of Mateo Kovačic, Ivan Perisic and Andrej Kramaric are in line to keep their places.
There is expected to be a significant change at the back, but Josko Gvardiol, who was not involved in the clash with North Macedonia, was expected to start.
Portugal’s possible starting lineup:
Costa; Dalot, Inacio, Dias, Mendes; Fernandes, Palhinha, Vithinha; Bernardo, Ramos, Felix
Croatia’s possible starting lineup:
Livakovic; Juranovic, Vida, Gvardiol, Sosa; Baturina, Kovacic; Majer, Kramaric, Perisic; Petkovic
Leave a comment