Poland could frustrate Portugal in Euro 2016 quarter-finals
Poland and Portugal go head-to-head on Thursday in the first quarter-finals of Euro 2016, with Portugal slight favourites to make it to the last four of the competition.
Portugal have been highly-unconvincing and could count themselves relatively lucky to have survived a last-16 clash with a very good Croatia team. Portugal won the game in extra-time with just three minutes remaining through winger Ricardo Quaresma.
In truth, Portugal has not looked great at any point of Euro 2016. Star player Cristiano Ronaldo has flattered to deceive in front of goal, with his only goals being a vital brace in a 3-3 group stage draw with Hungary.
He did have a hand in the winner against Croatia in the last game, but the Croatia defence marshalled him well for much of the competition.
Poland only made it through to the quarter-finals by beating Switzerland on penalty kicks, after a 1-1 draw in normal and extra-time. However, Adam Nawalka’s side have looked very solid at the back in France and have conceded just one goal in four games at the tournament so far.
A central defensive partnership of Kamil Glik and Michal Pazdan has impressed and with highly-rated defensive midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak in front of them the Poles are hard to break down.
If Portugal are to progress to the last four of the competition then then Ronaldo will need to rediscover his top form. He is one man, but there are very few players in the world capable of producing the sort of performance Ronaldo.
If Portugal are under-par against Poland then Jakub Blaszczykowski and Co have the quality and resilience to make them pay.
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