Game 12: Portugal vs Czechia live from the Leipzig Stadium. BBC1 8pm

[Coulthard's Jaw]

Possible line-ups

Portugal: Diogo Costa; Cancelo, Pepe, Rúben Dias, Nuno Mendes; Palhinha, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes; Rafael Leão, Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva

Czechia: Staněk; Holeš, Hranáč, Krejčí; Coufal, Souček, Provod, Barák, David Jurásek; Kuchta, Schick

Who can forget this classic from Euro 96

On paper Portugal look like they should be right up there. Czechia look a bit short on quality to me.

Portugal are big favourites to win this one, coming out on top in 66.2% of the Opta supercomputer's pre-game simulations. That leaves Czech Republic with a 33.8% chance of taking something from the game; they won just 15.9% of the supercomputer's sims.

Gary Lineker presents, with commentary by

[skybluedave]

I swear it feels like Portugal are always in the last group. And turns out they are. Last 3 Euros they've been in group F. And were in H at last WC

[Tikka Mezzala]

C'mon Czechia! 

 

[georginho_juventusygr]

Cristiano Ronaldooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

Pepeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

[noikeee]

3 hours ago, Coulthard's Jaw said:

Portugal: Diogo Costa; Cancelo, Pepe, Rúben Dias, Nuno Mendes; Palhinha, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes; Rafael Leão, Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva

Might be this or Dalot on the right and Cancelo on the left. 

I trust us to get out of the group and navigate these matches fairly well, if perhaps conceding a couple. What I'm worried about is against the big sides later...

[EnterUsernameHere]

Intrigued to see whether Bobby Martinez can join Deschamps and Southgate in holding his side back. 

Another dull 1-0 incoming.

[Rob1981]

Ronaldo plays a record sixth Euros.  Getting a bit boring now, even Portugal fans must be getting sick of him.

And remember when the tributes start that Lothar Matthäus can match him for longevity, even if not for overall number of games/tournaments.  Matthäus played at the Euros in 1980 and was still going strong at Euro 2000.  So the same 20-year gap between first and last tournaments, albeit he wasn't in the Germany squad in '92 or '96.

[TM]

is that Pepe's 5th Euros? I think he didn't play international games until after Euro 2004

probably still got positional sense but would be interesting trying to see him looking to catch the faster players in the bigger opposing teams with him in his 40s

[Rob1981]

Just now, TM said:

is that Pepe's 5th Euros? I think he didn't play international games until after Euro 2004

Yeah, Pepe and Modric playing in their fifth this time, Ronaldo in his sixth.

[Rob1981]

Rui Patrício is also at his fifth Euros, although he was an usused substitute at Euro 2008 and didn't actually play.

[Haguey]

Portugal might be stacked in a lot of places but they aren't winning the tournament with a 39yo Ronaldo and a 41 yo Pepe. Few players past their best like Cancelo too. Saying that they probably win this match but I've gone a bit left field and said score draw.

[Pukey]

20 minutes ago, Haguey said:

Portugal might be stacked in a lot of places but they aren't winning the tournament with a 39yo Ronaldo and a 41 yo Pepe. Few players past their best like Cancelo too. Saying that they probably win this match but I've gone a bit left field and said score draw.

I've not actually predicted in one of the polls yet, but I'm joining you on a draw. Feels very Portugal to draw a game like this and get through the group looking a bit meh before they improve in the knockouts.

[Smallen]

as always, anyone but Ronaldo.

[GunmaN1905]

This can't actually be 352, right?

Either Cancelo or Mendes on the wing.

[Haguey]

Oh I forgot Bobby Martinez was in charge too, add this to the reasons why they won't win. Failing upwards.

[Freakiie]

Kicker makes a weird 3-4-3 out of it with Mendes as one of the CDs. Not sure what the thought is here.

[kopsy101]

What a fantastic team they have, on paper. 

[skybluedave]

I do like it when a starting 11 makes no sense

[GunmaN1905]

14 minutes ago, Freakiie said:

Kicker makes a weird 3-4-3 out of it with Mendes as one of the CDs. Not sure what the thought is here.

As long as General Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira is playing, there's no need to worry about defense.

[RTHerringbone]

Rooney talking about chess doesn't seem right.

EDIT - I think this is the Five Live feed over the standard TV footage. Trust me: it's weird.

Edited June 18 by RTHerringbone

[Barry Cartman]

Is Cancelo playing wide? That lineup doesn't make sense otherwise 

[CFuller]

Some exciting young talents in this Portugal team... and a 41-year-old at the back. 

Going for Czechia to take a surprise early lead, but Portugal to fight back and win 3-1. Ronaldo will score. Ronaldo always scores.

[Heartwork]

Of course the Tories choose now to make an election broadcast. As much as I want to see Portugal get embarrassed by Czechia I'm not sitting through that, I'll come back closer to kick-off.

Edited June 18 by Heartwork

[CFuller]

1 minute ago, Heartwork said:

Of course the Tories choose now to make an election broadcast

Right before Lineker starts his shift too. 

[Heartwork]

1 minute ago, CFuller said:

Right before Lineker starts his shift too. 

balance

[CFuller]

Apparently, Frank Lampard is on the punditry team too. I bet he has had some interesting political discussions with Gary. 

But no, seriously, tonight's line-up isn't great. Shearer and Fabregas in the studio as well, and Sunshine Danny Murphy on co-comms.

[Tikka Mezzala]

Do toho, Czechia! 

[noikeee]

32 minutes ago, Freakiie said:

Kicker makes a weird 3-4-3 out of it with Mendes as one of the CDs. Not sure what the thought is here.

That's exactly what it is. Nuno Mendes has played this role before for Sporting as a kind of overlapping CB.

Very attacking and I kind of get it for a match we're favourites, but I'd have liked a bit more balance with Palhinha in midfield

[craigcwwe]

Not sure about that Portugal starting 11 in terms of their shape. 

Thought Goncalo Ramos would start for them. 

[craigcwwe]

Urgh, Frank Lampard in the studio. 

[CFuller]

David Marshall didn't enjoy that VT.

[mrbpme]

Can see Portugal running away with this, Czechia have Holes in their defence. 

[noikeee]

2 minutes ago, craigcwwe said:

Not sure about that Portugal starting 11 in terms of their shape. 

Thought Goncalo Ramos would start for them. 

Ronaldo looked surprisingly sharp in the final friendly v Ireland and Ramos looked out of form in the other friendlies. Plus with Ronaldo scoring so many in qualifying and his status, no way he'd be benched 

[craigcwwe]

Czechs with a random ex Hyde United player in their squad.  

[TalkSport]

Portugals bench is good. Be interesting to see what they’re like under Martinez, because if they’re attacking, there’s options there to keep it fresh and shut up shop too. 

Only side I fear from an English perspective.

[craigcwwe]

208th cap for Ronaldo this.  

[GunmaN1905]

2 minutes ago, TalkSport said:

Portugals bench is good. Be interesting to see what they’re like under Martinez, because if they’re attacking, there’s options there to keep it fresh and shut up shop too. 

Only side I fear from an English perspective.

They lost in Lisbon to Croatia and it should've been more convincing if we talk scoreline.

Defense looked completely out of sorts. Usual Martinez stuff.

[Smallen]

a shot every time the comms mention Pepe or Ronaldo’s age, who’s up for it?

[The_jagster]

15 hours ago, EnterUsernameHere said:

Intrigued to see whether Bobby Martinez can join Deschamps and Southgate in holding his side back. 

Another dull 1-0 incoming.

 

48 minutes ago, Haguey said:

Oh I forgot Bobby Martinez was in charge too, add this to the reasons why they won't win. Failing upwards.

I think Martinez is unfairly castigated in general but this is their one shot at winning while there is still some defensive nous from the previous manager whereas 2 years on they'll concede for fun.

[DJ]

C'mon, football gods. This is one of the last chances for karma. Make that 41 year old pay for all his crimes. I don't care how. 

[The Amazing Dale Watkins]

Surprised to see so many Portuguese supporters. I expected this to be firmly in Czech hands, with Leipzig just a couple of hours' drive away from Prague.

[av3ry]

I can see some Holes that need blocking in Czech's defence. 

[Bliss Seeker]

Czech team is 18% West Ham 😎

[TalkSport]

15 minutes ago, Smallen said:

a shot every time the comms mention Pepe or Ronaldo’s age, who’s up for it?

And a shot every time camera catches Ronaldo looking at himself on the big screen.

Edited June 18 by TalkSport

[Smallen]

Leao up against Coufal is a big mismatch 

[Haguey]

Gotta be stronger and quicker than that Ronnie , you're not in Riyadh now

[SouthCoastRed]

8 minutes ago, Bliss Seeker said:

Czech team is 18% West Ham 😎

Explains a lot tbh

[craigcwwe]

Is Joao Neves not a regular in the side yet @noikeee? Thought he’d be in there instead of Vitinha. 

Edited June 18 by craigcwwe

[noikeee]

1 minute ago, craigcwwe said:

Is Joao Neves not a regular on the side yet @noikeee? Thought he’d be in there instead of Vitinha. 

He is fantastic but there's just too many good players, so no. Vitinha on current form is near undroppable.

You'll see him coming off the bench regularly.

Edited June 18 by noikeee

[EdBed]

For those watching via iPlayer; is there an option to turn off Danny Murphy? (And keep the crowd noise, like you can on Amazon.)