Rui Jorge is SO incredibly lucky the individual talent won him that match today vs Italy. It was very entertaining to watch, but the level of frustration was hair pulling. The second Portugal was 2-0 up, they should have controlled the midfield until the end of 90 minutes. Instead they deflated and just started turtling to run down the clock..the goal before half time was coming. The 2nd half was the exact same story, once it was 3-1 it should be over yet instead they show zero energy and composure, and that defense (well 2 players specifically) were horrendous.
Jota and Conceicao with great efforts. Florentino was a beast once he came on, thats the player I remember. Vitinha is a star, what skill, passing, and vision. That's the EXACT CM Portugal needs. Next game it should be Florentino-Braganca-Vitinha-Fabio Viera in midfield with Mota and Leao up front.
Rafeal Leao-- I've never seen a more infuriating player. So much talent, so much speed and skill. Yet he runs harder to celebrate a goal then he did throughout his entire time on the field. I guess his rap career is more important to him.
We're missing a lot of key players ( Nuno Mendes, Theirry Correia from Valencia, Trincao, Pedro Goncalves)..but if we play that midfield and actually play defense and maintain control over the matches like we did in the group stages, there's a chance to defeat Spain.
Also, Italy showed tremendous heart and determination as well. Good team, and good game.