A few weeks away from the crucial and horrifyingly important game with Sweden, Queiroz is once again playing with the line up, introducing new faces, naming new players. Here’s Queiroz’s line up for the friendly on Wednesday against Finland:
Goalkeepers. Gone is the inefficient duo of Quim and Rui Patricio. In are: Daniel Fernandes (Bochum/Ale) e Eduardo (Sporting de Braga). Left out again is the best goalkeeper in the country; Beto from Leixoes.
Defenders. Still without Ricardo Carvalho, a major loss. In is Goncalo Brandao from Siena (Italy). Also: Bruno Alves (FC Porto), Pepe (Real Madrid), Miguel (Valencia), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea) and Rolando (FC Porto). Let’s hope Pepe does better than what he’s done the last couple games. Still no left full back. Paulo Ferreira a back up at Chelsea will once again improvise. Why?
Midfielders: In is Eliseu (Malaga). Also: Deco (Chelsea), Joao Moutinho (Sporting), Maniche (Atletico Madrid), Raul Meireles (FC Porto), Duda (Malaga), Tiago (Juventus) e Eliseu (Malaga). No real leader here, Portugal’s Achilles heel.
Forwards: In is Orlando Sa (Braga). Also: Danny (Zenit), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Nani (Manchester United), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United).
Nuno Gomes is out. I would have left Hugo Almeida behind before Nuno. Let’s hope Queiroz finds the magic formula with the tune up against Finland. Let’s pull for the man!
