Euro 2024 Germany is only a matter of months away. In this international break, there are teams that have confirmed they have qualified and will compete to complete their remaining group qualifying schedule. Perfect Portugal with eight straight wins in Group J will travel to Liechtenstein.
Here is an exclusive preview of Liechtenstein vs Portugal.
Rheinpark Stadium will welcome the Portuguese National Team on matchday 9 of Group J. This match will kick off early Friday morning (17/11). Portugal has confirmed that it will qualify for Euro 2024 as group winner with perfect points from the previous 8 matches, namely 24 points. With an average of 4 goals scored in the matches coached by Roberto Martinez, Portugal is believed to be able to celebrate in the bottom ranked country in Group J.
Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammate’s approach to play since Martinez arrived has been attacking football. The remaining two matches in the group, apart from Liechtenstein, are next Monday’s home match against Iceland. The winning streak record will be pursued by fielding the main team in this match. Portugal’s previous match in Group J was a 5-0 win at home to Bosnia and Herzegovina last month.
Goalkeeper Diogo Costa will be in place. Goncalo Inacio, Antonio Silva and Ruben Dias will be the defender in front of him. They are the perfect regeneration for the future defense of the Seleccao das Quinas. Pepe, who is 41 years old, will motivate them from the bench.
Diogo Dalot asked Martinez for permission to leave the squad for personal reasons, namely the birth of his child. Hence, Joao Cancelo will line up on the right side and Rafael Leao on the opposite side. Leao is starting to show good performance against PSG in the Champions League.
Joao Palhinha, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva will be the creative motor in midfield. Barcelona loanee Joao Felix is alongside Al Nassr Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who will continue to sharpen his goalscoring record as the spearhead. Matheus Nunes and Goncalo Ramos will get opportunities in the second half that they should take advantage of.
Meanwhile, Konrad Fnfstck’s home team must try to find their first points in the Group if they don’t want to repeat their record of “no points” in EURO 1996 qualifying.
Liechtenstein relied on Oxford United goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel to reduce the number of goals scored and the back line was supported by Sandro Wolfinger.
The head to head between the two is very uneven, with the score 4-0 for Portugal being the most recent in the first leg last March. Liechtenstein once surprised us by holding Portugal to a 2-2 draw in 2004, but it doesn’t look like it will be repeated in this match.
Estimated Formation
Liechtenstein (Rank 6) 5-4-1 : B Buchel; S Wolfinger, Marxer, Weiser, Traber, Goppel; Luchinger, M Buchel, Sele, Meier; Salanovic
Coach: Konrad Fnfstck
Portugal (Rank 1) 3-5-2 : Diogo Costa; Antonio Silva, Ruben Dias, Goncalo Inacio; Joao Cancelo, Palhinha, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leao; Ronaldo, Joao Felix
Coach: Roberto Martinez
Portugal will be able to win this match easily based on pundit’s prediction. A goal difference of more than three could become a reality considering Portugal’s average goal record in matches since being handled by Roberto Martinez.
