EURO 2020: C. Ronaldo to Start, Bruno Dropped in Portugal-France clash tonight

FILE PHOTO: Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (C) vies with France defenders Benjamin Pavard (L) and Raphael Varane during a UEFA Nations League match at the Luz stadium in Lisbon on November 14, 2020. – AFP

AGENCIES: Here are some of the highlights into the UEFA European Championship Group F match between Portugal and France at the Ferenc Puskas Stadium.

LINEUPS

Portugal: Rui Patricio; Semedo, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro; Danilo, Moutinho, Sanches; B. Silva, Jota; Ronaldo

Subs: Lopes, Palhinha, Oliveira, Felix, R Silva, Dalot, Neves, Fernandes, A Silva, Fonte

France: Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Kimpembe, L. Hernandez; Pogba, Kante, Tolisso; Griezmann, Benzema, Mbappe

Subs: Mandanda, Maignan, Lenglet, Pavard, Digne, Sissoko, Coman, Rabiot, Zouma, Ben Yeddder, Giroud, Lemar

Referee: A. Lahoz (ESP)

PREDICTED XI

Portugal: Patricio; Semedo, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro; Pereira, Moutinho, Renato Sanches, Bruno, Jota; Ronaldo

France: Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Kimpembe, L. Hernandez; Pogba, Kante, Tolisso; Griezmann, Benzema, Mbappe

RECENT FORM

Portugal: W-D-W-W-L

France: W-W-W-W-D

MATCH PREVIEW

World champion France hopes its attacking stars finally align against defending European champion Portugal on Thursday in an intriguing finale to Euro 2020’s heavyweight group.

Tournament favourites Les Bleus dominated Germany in their opener but only won through an own goal, then looked short of ideas and stamina in a surprising 1-1 draw against Hungary.

The side does top Group F – after Portugal was humbled by Germany – but the fearsome attacking trio of Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema will be disappointed to have only found the net once so far.

Mbappe has looked as fast and tricky as ever, pressuring Germany’s Mats Hummels for their own goal and setting up Griezmann for the equaliser against Hungary. Benzema, though, has now failed to score from 30 shots over three European Championships

But Deschamps was keeping faith with the man who bagged 29 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid this season, to earn a spot in the national team for the first time since 2015.

“With his experience, I don’t think he has doubts. He’s been doing some good things. He knows a lot is expected from him but it’s not just about goals,” the coach said.

A draw against Portugal, which beat France in the Euro 2016 final, may be enough for Didier Deschamps’ side to go through as group winner. It has four points, one more than Germany and Portugal, while Hungary is bottom with one.

France could also qualify for the last 16 before kickoff if results in other groups guarantee it going through as one of the best third-placed teams even should it lose.

Deschamps said his three vaunted forwards could not bear the whole responsibility in attack.

“You cannot dissociate their performance from that of the midfielders and the fullbacks,” he explained. “They don’t have that many games together and it can always be better.”

Griezmann was relaxed.

“What every striker needs at the beginning of a competition is to score that first goal,” he said. “Kylian and Karim have the chances. When one goes in, they will flow.”

Deschamps does have alternatives up front in Olivier Giroud, France’s all-time second top-scorer, Kingsley Coman and Wissam Ben Yedder. Ousmane Dembele would also have been an option but was ruled out of the tournament on Monday with a knee injury.

After a 3-0 victory against Hungary, Portugal was beaten 4-2 by Germany despite Fernando Santos’ cautious approach and changes could be made against France, with midfielder Renato Sanches expected to start in place of Bernardo Silva.

Cristiano Ronaldo remains its best asset: he already has three goals in these Euros and is the tournament’s all-time top scorer with 12.