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Preview: Portugal vs. Albania
Associated Press
UEFA WCQ - Group 1
"We have to get it into our heads that we can't drop points at home," said midfielder Joao Moutinho, who is likely to make the starting lineup in the northern Portuguese city of Braga.
"In this game specifically, we have no room for maneuver. We have to win," he said.
Breaking down Albania's defensive wall, though, won't be easy as the Portuguese pursue their first win since a 4-0 victory over Malta.
"We have to pick up three points at home against Albania," defender Paulo Ferreira said, before warning: "They defend in depth, they get a lot of bodies behind the ball. We're going to need a lot of patience."
Coach Carlos Queiroz needs to sharpen the attack to breach the visitor's back line after Portugal created few chances in Sweden.
Danny is likely to feature in the midfield playmaking role as a replacement for the injured Deco. With Nuno Gomes possibly coming in at center-forward, Cristiano Ronaldo will have more freedom to probe the Albanian flanks.
The Manchester United winger didn't make much of an impact against Sweden when Queiroz, formerly assistant coach at Old Trafford before taking charge of Portugal in July, deployed him as a target man.
"We have to play in the attacking style we know so that we can start scoring," Nani, Ronaldo's teammate at Manchester, said.
UEFA WC Qualifying
Portugal, ranked 10th in the FIFA rankings, has won all three previous meetings with Albania, currently ranked 83rd.
After a shock loss to Denmark last month, Portugal aims to reinvigorate its World Cup qualifying campaign with a win over visitor Albania on Wednesday.
After the home loss to Denmark, the Portuguese are scrambling to stamp their mark on Group 1 where three points separate the top four teams.
Portugal picked up a point in Saturday's unimpressive goalless draw in Sweden and needs a convincing victory over Albania to restore its confidence.
"We're still in the fight," Cristiano Ronaldo said. "I'm sure our team will keep growing in stature."
The Manchester United winger is fully fit after ankle surgery kept him out of action for three months and he played the entire 90 minutes, as captain, against Sweden.
But Ronaldo made little impression in that match as Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz struggles to shape his team after taking charge in July following the departure of Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Ronaldo played as center-forward against Sweden and didn't get enough possession to show off his dribbling skills.
With four regulars sidelined by injury, including midfield playmaker Deco, Queiroz needs to find an attacking lineup that produces goals.
"We have to focus on the essential: playing attractive football and putting together a team, not just a group of good players," Queiroz said. "We have a strong squad, so I'm very confident."
Portugal was cautious against Sweden but against Albania it's going for all three points.
That means Danny could feature in the starting lineup as a replacement for Deco, though the in-form Zenit St. Petersburg midfielder reckons the Albanian back line could be tough to crack.
"They have a pretty impressive defense. They are good at keeping it tight, mounting a barrier at the back. It won't be easy to break them down but we have home advantage," Danny said.
Portugal has won all three previous meetings with Albania.
The two countries share third place on four points after three games. Denmark leads with seven points, two more than second-placed Sweden.
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