After a dull draw against Macedonia, the Portuguese are looking for a victory against Turkey ahead of Euro 2012.
While we all know that international friendly matches are to test things out, Portugal's last showing against Macedonia may have left some fans a bit nervous. A very lackluster performance with very limited chances and not much flair against an inferior Macedonia side may have raised some concerns.
Portugal will face one last test before the Euro at the Estadio da Luz against Turkey. Unfortunately for Turkey, they finished with more points in the qualifying stage of Euro 2012, but after being forced into the playoff round, they were eliminated by Croatia.
After such a dull performance against Macedonia, the Portuguese will now face a more serious test on Saturday. Some players have been victim of much criticism throughout the week from Portuguese fans and media, but Paulo Bento has assured the nation that he will not make changes in his lineup just because fans are unhappy.
"If the Estadio da Luz is full, even better. I would prefer that the fans wait until the end of the game to show their discontent, but they have the right to do so during the game. I will not substitute a player just because the fans are unhappy. All the players that are here have the ability to play under these circumstances and they must be ready for it," said Paulo Bento.
The Portuguese will face a very difficult test in Poland/Ukraine considering they will match up against Denmark, Holland and Germany. Can they really afford to head into the competition on another negative result?
It will be important for the fans to show that they are behind the team right from the get go, but they certainly won't wait to long before they get impatient. Bento will have yet another chance to test out some of his new faces such as Hugo Viana, Miguel Lopes and Custodio. If Portugal is to have a convincing performance against Turkey they will need players like Hugo Viana to come in and make a difference in the center of the pitch.
A draw against Macedonia may have put a little more pressure on the Portuguese going into this match, but it's nothing they aren't already used to. Cristiano Ronaldo's performance will dictate not only Portugal's performance, but his teammates usually tend to feed off of his inspiring moments on the field.
Expect a Portuguese side ready to come out and silence some critics ahead of the Euro. Anything less than a victory will not only be disappointing but demoralizing at the same time.
Portugal will face one last test before the Euro at the Estadio da Luz against Turkey. Unfortunately for Turkey, they finished with more points in the qualifying stage of Euro 2012, but after being forced into the playoff round, they were eliminated by Croatia.
After such a dull performance against Macedonia, the Portuguese will now face a more serious test on Saturday. Some players have been victim of much criticism throughout the week from Portuguese fans and media, but Paulo Bento has assured the nation that he will not make changes in his lineup just because fans are unhappy.
"If the Estadio da Luz is full, even better. I would prefer that the fans wait until the end of the game to show their discontent, but they have the right to do so during the game. I will not substitute a player just because the fans are unhappy. All the players that are here have the ability to play under these circumstances and they must be ready for it," said Paulo Bento.
The Portuguese will face a very difficult test in Poland/Ukraine considering they will match up against Denmark, Holland and Germany. Can they really afford to head into the competition on another negative result?
It will be important for the fans to show that they are behind the team right from the get go, but they certainly won't wait to long before they get impatient. Bento will have yet another chance to test out some of his new faces such as Hugo Viana, Miguel Lopes and Custodio. If Portugal is to have a convincing performance against Turkey they will need players like Hugo Viana to come in and make a difference in the center of the pitch.
A draw against Macedonia may have put a little more pressure on the Portuguese going into this match, but it's nothing they aren't already used to. Cristiano Ronaldo's performance will dictate not only Portugal's performance, but his teammates usually tend to feed off of his inspiring moments on the field.
Expect a Portuguese side ready to come out and silence some critics ahead of the Euro. Anything less than a victory will not only be disappointing but demoralizing at the same time.
