The latest Iberian derby is set to be an explosive Manny Ramirez Jersey semi-final at Euro 2012. Spain are current Champions of Europe and therefore favourites going into the game but football isnt always that straight forward and Portugal will put up a fight. The Seleco seem to be growing and growing into the tournament, while Spains tiki-taka is groaning a bit under pre sure.Its hard to call the game as both sides are tactically matched. The Spanish are renowned for their attacking play but each of Portugals defenders are good trackers and commit themsleves to the cause. Equally Portugal are brilliant going forward. It could be a case of the team who gets the first goal controls the game but one thing is certain, this match is going to be a fiercely fought battle.Market value of the two teamsTotal of Portugal team: 337.7mTotal of Spain team: 658mWith the overall Spanish squad twice the value of the Portuguese team it isnt surprising that Spain out value Portugal in every department. Portugals three goalkeepers are valued just 0.2 million more than Spains third choice goalkeeper on his own (Reina, 19m). Its squad depth that lets Portugal down in the defensive department, their least valued defender (Lopes, 1.7m) is valued nearly five times le s than his Spanish counterpart (Juanfran, 8m). Further up the list Portugals top defenders are each valued 10m le s than their Spanish equivalent. In the midfield department Spain ma sively out way Portugal with their group of players being more than three times the value of the Seleco (311m compared to 97m). Their ridiculously valuable midfield is 20m short of being worth as much as the entire Portugal team. Portugals top midfielder (Nani, 36m) is almost half the value of Spains top man (Iniesta, 65m). Even in the striker department Portugal are out weighed, despite having the worlds most valuable played in their squad. Despite Portugal having one extra striker than Spain they are still 1.2m short of the Spanish frontline.Before the tournament, it was clear how Paulo Bento would set his team out. Hes maintained the same starting XI throughout, but will now be forced into a change. Bob Feller Jersey Helder Postiga was removed with a hamstring injury during their 1-0 win over Czech Republic, so Hugo Almeida is a likely start in the central striking role. Nelson Oliveira, despite promise and potential, will not be trusted for a full 90 minutes in such a high-profile game.There are three incredibly important roles in Portugals formationfullback, anchor midfield and Cristiano Ronaldo.Fabio Coentrao and Joao Pereira are two flying fullbacks, allowed to maraud up and down the line and help Portugals controlling 4-3-3 formation function.Ronaldos role has changed throughout this tournament, ranging from unused left winger to the one person in this team able to break down a Michael Brantley Jersey defence.Lastly, Miguel Veloso is key. Consistency must be found for him, as he is required to fulfil two incredibly important duties.He provides short, sharp pa ses out of defence to initiate attacks as a matter of course. He may be asked to provide longer, direct ones to Almeida or Ronaldo to skip between the lines and create quick counterattacks.He also may have to track Spains key attacking threat and man-mark him into submi sion, just as he attempted against Mesut Ozil.Spains footballing philosophy is clear to see right now, as they continue to a sert themselves as a slightly toned-down version of Barcelona.Such is the attempt to mimic La Blaugrana, weve seen Cesc Fabregas employed as a false-nine striker in two games out of four so far. Its fair to say hes no Lionel Me si in that position and lacks Danny Salazar Jersey the threat of making genuine incisive runs.The other option is Fernando Torres. Despite offering a dramatic, positive change to Fabregas against Italy, he still cant find the back of the net against good opposition in this tournament.The rest of the team is a settled constant. Jordi Alba has impre sed, so much so he was the subject of a failed double right-back experiment by Laurent Blanc. In addition, the midfield three of Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Xabi Alonso remain unbeatable in the pa sing game.Team NewsHelder Postiga is Portugals only injury concern. Postiga is expected to be replaced by Besiktas forward Hugo Almeida. Spain have reported no fresh injury concerns. However, Fernando Torres and Pedro may be in line to start following claims the Spanish camp are drained.Predicted Starting LineupsMatch factsHead-to-head Spain have beaten Portugal only twice in 54 years (W2, D6, L4).This will be the 35th meeting of the sides. Portugal failed to win the first 15 encounters, eventually breaking their duck in 1948. Spain lead the overall head-to-head by 16 wins to six.All six of Portugals victories came on home soil.Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo has six European Championship goals in total. Only Alan Shearer (seven) and Michel Platini (nine) have scored more in the history of the tournament.The Portuguese have lost four of their five previous semi-finals at major tournaments, and have never won at this stage overseas. Their only win was 2-1 victory against the Netherlands on home soil at Euro 2004.They have hit the woodwork six times at Euro 2012 including four efforts from Ronaldo.Spain Spain will set a new record of 11 European Championship finals matches unbeaten if they avoid defeat. Their last lo s in the competition was the 1-0 reverse to Portugal at Euro 2004.The Spanish have kept eight consecutive clean sheets in knock-out games at major tournaments. Goalkeeper Iker Casillas is unbeaten in 780 minutes (13 hours) Yan Gomes Jersey at this stage since Zinedine Zidanes 90th-minute goal for France at the 2006 World Cup.According to Opta, Spain have completed 2,623 pa ses at Euro 2012, more than twice as many as Portugal (1,159).Related Posts:
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