AT A GLANCE: Portugal

by FOXSports.com

Updated: May 14, 2002, 5:00 PM EST

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP

G Vitor Baia, Barcelona (ESP)
D Fernando Couto, Lazio (ITA)
D Jorge Costa, Charlton (ENG)
D Nuno Frechaut, Boavista (POR)
D Rui Jorge, Sporting Lisbon (POR)
M Luis Figo, Real Madrid (ESP)
M Rui Costa, AC Milan (ITA)
M Vidigal, Napoli (ITA)
M Paulo Bento, Sporting Lisbon (POR)
F Nuno Gomes, Fiorentina (ITA)
F Pauleta, Bordeaux (FRA)

THE FIRST AND ONLY SHOT AT THE TITLE FOR THIS GREAT GENERATION

So many questions. Can this superb Portugese generation accomplish what their predecessors did 36 years ago? Can Figo step into the footsteps of Eusebio? Can Rui Costa dominate midfield just like Mario Coluna?

I don?t think so, and that?s not because they don?t have the talent to do so. These two are brilliant players and they have some good support in Pauleta, Nuno Gomes, Fernando Couto and Sergio Conceicao.

But there is something missing, something intangible, maybe it?s the ability to win it all. And, on second thoughts, maybe there are too few really great players.

The goalkeeper, whichever Portugal take, is not great. Even Vitor Baia, who once was considered one of the best on earth, has faded away because of a string of injuries. He couldn?t fight his way into the team in Barcelona this year, and in the end he wasn?t the great goalie he seemed to be.

At the moment he?s injured again, and his possible replacements haven?t convinced either. It might be Ricardo or even Quim, but here Portugal will not make the difference. Not in a positive way, at least.

Portugal?s central defence is slow, but strong in the tackle and in the air. Fernando Couto finally won his place at Lazio, and Jorge Costa is now playing for Charlton Athletic in England.

They have been together in the national team for almost a decade now, and it?s not easy to surprise them anymore. At fullback, Frechaut and Rui Jorge are first-choice of late, though on the left side Manuel Dimas is still a main factor. On the right, Liverpool?s Abel Xavier is not out of contention either.

Portugal?s midfield is where it has to come from. Figo is the big gun here, and although he?s been struggling with injuries lately he must still be mentioned among the greatest players in the world today.

Figo?s partner-in-business has been Rui Costa since the early 90?s. Rui Costa usually is a strong starter, but fades away as time goes by. That?s a shame, because he has the talent to make the difference. He is, just like Figo, an excellent dribbler and he can score, too.

There are several candidates for the defensive midfield roles. Vidigal did well during Euro 2000 and Paulo Bento can certainly play. Other possibilities here are Andrade and Hugo Viana.

Pauleta has been a big star this year in France, notching almost every goal Bordeaux has scored. He is the favourite for the central position in attack.

His partner up front should be Nuno Gomes. Gomes had an indifferent year at Fiorentina but has scored a string of goals for the national team.

If that doesn?t work, there is always old hero Joao Pinto. Sergio Conceicao, who can play either right or left, is quick and agile.

Looking at the group they?re in, it?s hard to imagine Portugal not finishing on top.

They have much more quality than the USA or South Korea, and much more experience than the Poles. From the last 16 on, every match will be a do-or-die matter. They will face the number two from the Group G, most likely Croatia, a difficult game but winnable.

Spain will be waiting in the quarters, and that should be the end. A great generation, some real stars and some fine players, but not champions.

Courtesy of our friends at World Cup Archive