Portugal will travel to Russia Friday for a crucial match between the two nations. The winner of this match could be well on their way to a comfortable qualification for Brazil 2014.
Both teams head into Friday's match having won their first two matches. Russia defeated Northern Ireland at home and then traveled to Israel to defeat the hosts 0-4.
For Paulo Bento's side, they struggled against Luxembourg, but they managed a 1-2 victory. In their second match, the Estadio Axa witnessed an impressive Portuguese side against an Azerbaijan side that didn't really know what to do with themselves. A nervy sixty minutes finished in a 3-0 victory for Portugal after Varela grabbed the first goal of the match.
Playing in Russia will not be an easy task for Paulo Bento, especially with the hosts having yet to concede a goal in their first two matches. While one can argue that Israel and Northern Ireland aren't the most offensive and dangerous opponents, neither is Luxembourg or Azerbaijan.
Also, regardless of not having given up any goals, Fabio Capello's side has looked very impressive after having to bounce back from a shocking exit from Euro 2012 at the hands of Greece.
Paulo Bento says that his side will enter the match with the goal of returning to Portugal with nine points.
"This is a game that has different characteristics than the last two because this is an opponent that will try to dictate the pace of the game. Russia has the same objectives as us, thats why their are no favorites in this match, but we we want to play to win and leave here with nine points," said the Portuguese head coach.
Russian manager Fabio Capello made it clear that he also isn't expecting a walk in the park on Friday.
"We all know everyone wants to stop him (Cristiano Ronaldo) and we are going to give it our best. When I saw him injured, I had hoped it was worst," said Capello in a joking voice.
"It's going to be a great match and their are no favorites. Portugal has great value as they showed in the last Euro."
With Igor Denisov not being a first team option at Zenit St. Petersburg due to internal issues, Capello appears to not have a problem in handing his player an opportunity to represent his country.
Some notable names that were left out of Capello's side were Andrey Arshavin, Pavel Pogrebnyak and former Tottenham Hotspur striker Roman Pavlyuchenko.
Friday's match promises to be highly entertaining to say the least. Ronaldo will as always be the main focal point for Portugal's offense while the Russian's will try to push him around in an attempt to frustrate him.
With an unhealthy Ronaldo, a match on Russian soil and the lack of a true striker, could Portugal be in for disappointment? Well if history is to repeat itself, Portugal should emerge victorious considering Russia has lost their last three meetings with the Lusitanos, but Fabio Capello will be motivated to get a result in front of the Russian fans.
For Paulo Bento's side, they struggled against Luxembourg, but they managed a 1-2 victory. In their second match, the Estadio Axa witnessed an impressive Portuguese side against an Azerbaijan side that didn't really know what to do with themselves. A nervy sixty minutes finished in a 3-0 victory for Portugal after Varela grabbed the first goal of the match.
Playing in Russia will not be an easy task for Paulo Bento, especially with the hosts having yet to concede a goal in their first two matches. While one can argue that Israel and Northern Ireland aren't the most offensive and dangerous opponents, neither is Luxembourg or Azerbaijan.
Also, regardless of not having given up any goals, Fabio Capello's side has looked very impressive after having to bounce back from a shocking exit from Euro 2012 at the hands of Greece.
Paulo Bento says that his side will enter the match with the goal of returning to Portugal with nine points.
"This is a game that has different characteristics than the last two because this is an opponent that will try to dictate the pace of the game. Russia has the same objectives as us, thats why their are no favorites in this match, but we we want to play to win and leave here with nine points," said the Portuguese head coach.
Russian manager Fabio Capello made it clear that he also isn't expecting a walk in the park on Friday.
"We all know everyone wants to stop him (Cristiano Ronaldo) and we are going to give it our best. When I saw him injured, I had hoped it was worst," said Capello in a joking voice.
"It's going to be a great match and their are no favorites. Portugal has great value as they showed in the last Euro."
With Igor Denisov not being a first team option at Zenit St. Petersburg due to internal issues, Capello appears to not have a problem in handing his player an opportunity to represent his country.
Some notable names that were left out of Capello's side were Andrey Arshavin, Pavel Pogrebnyak and former Tottenham Hotspur striker Roman Pavlyuchenko.
Friday's match promises to be highly entertaining to say the least. Ronaldo will as always be the main focal point for Portugal's offense while the Russian's will try to push him around in an attempt to frustrate him.
With an unhealthy Ronaldo, a match on Russian soil and the lack of a true striker, could Portugal be in for disappointment? Well if history is to repeat itself, Portugal should emerge victorious considering Russia has lost their last three meetings with the Lusitanos, but Fabio Capello will be motivated to get a result in front of the Russian fans.
