Euro 2012 Group Stage Preview: Germany vs Portugal

Germany and Portugal have played each other in two of the previous three international tournaments. Germany played Portugal both times during a time when this Portuguese side was at their peak. The meetings came in 2006 and 2008 with Germany running out winners both times.

When one talks about Portugal, all they seem to focus on is Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo scores plenty of his goals in a similar fashion to Mario Gomez nowadays. In truth, Portugal is about so much more than the Madrid winger. First of all, Bayern fans out there perhaps remember Joao Moutinho.

In 2009, Bayern beat Sporting 7-1 in the Champions League. Moutinho scored a spectacular goal in that match. He has now developed into a wonderful versatile midfielder who, given the chance, can control midfield all on his own.

Fabio Coentrao is a good player to have at the back. Coentrao can also play in midfield. Nani is brilliant on his day and lest anyone forget, the old guard of the likes of Ricardo Carvalho and Hugo Almeida are still present. And of course, Raul Meireles is always good for an effort or two from distance.

Now, let’s take a look at the previous meetings. In 2006, the deflated sides faced each other in a third place playoff match in which the Germans were obviously supported by a buoyant home crowd. Home-soil is not necessarily an advantage though. Nonetheless, Germany scored thrice, two of those coming from a young Bastian Schweinsteiger, and the Portuguese scored one for their efforts. Simao scored an own goal as well, but the match ended 3-1 in the host’s favour.

In 2008, matters were much more serious. Germany came through by finishing second in their group and took on a Portuguese side that many said would beat the Germans. They took an early 2-0 lead through Schweinsteiger again and Miro Klose. The Portuguese got one back, but Michael Ballack scored a third. The match finished 3-2 in Germany’s favour.

How Germany will line up is not totally clear yet. Loew has stated that Lahm will start on the left. This is my guess from right to left:

Manuel Neuer

Jerome Boateng—Per Mertesacker—Holger Badstuber—Philipp Lahm

Bastian Schweinsteiger—Sami Khedira

Thomas Mueller—Mesut Oezil—Lukas Podolski

Miroslav Klose

If Germany is in trouble, the three subs most likely to come on are Andre Schuerrle, Marco Reus and Toni Kroos. Kroos might even start the match ahead of Khedira.

In other news, Lukas Podolski celebrated his birthday this week and was given a rapturous reception by the Polish. Klose didn't receive the same treatment, however, as some allegedly false reports accused him of abandoning his country of birth. There is no dispute between the Dortmund and Bayern stars though and none was expected as this is of course the German national side—not the Spanish one.

Then again, the Germans could have done with Spain’s record in the last two tournaments. Nonetheless, let me hear your thoughts on this match and who you think will come out winners.