Portugal 3-2 Denmark: No tracking from Ronaldo and Rommedahl means goals come from that flank
The starting line-ups
Silvestre Varela grabbed a late winner as Portugal registered their first win of Euro 2012.
Paulo Bento named an unchanged side from the team that lost to Germany – Helder Postiga continued upfront, despite Nelson Oliveira’s positive impact from the bench in the opening game.
Morten Olsen also made no changes from Denmark’s surprise 1-0 win over Holland.
Think of Portugal and Denmark – not just the current sides, but their style over the course of the century so far – and you think of width. That was the main story here, with little happening in the centre of midfield, and all the attacking thrust coming from the flanks.
Rommedahl and Ronaldo
Or maybe that should be ‘flank’, because both sides continually worked the same area of the pitch. There was a clear tactical reason for this; neither Dennis Rommedahl nor Cristiano Ronaldo showed the slightest interest in tracking back and helping protect their full-back.
This wasn’t much of a surprise – Rommedahl did the same in the Holland game (where Denmark’s defensive shape was actually quite poor, despite their clean sheet), creating a large amount of space for Wesley Sneijder to work in – and Sneijder created ten chances for his teammates, the most in one game by a player at this tournament so far. Rommedahl was substituted (to his disgust) in the final minutes, as Olsen wanted a more defensively aware winger.
Ronaldo isn’t particularly keen on defending in general. He gave a good, disciplined display in the defeat to Germany, but in this game, where Portugal had to take the initiative and attack, he stayed high up the pitch and looked to get into goalscoring positions. He was clearly desperate to make an individual impact on the tournament.
Attacking possibilities
As a result of these two players staying high up, there was ample space for the opposition down that flank. There were two effects – first, it benefited the two full-backs, with Fabio Coentrao scampering past Rommedahl and Lars Jacobsen doing the same past Ronaldo. Sometimes those full-backs had space to cross, and sometimes they created 2 v 1 situations with the winger ahead of them.
Second, it meant the opposition winger down that flank had a greater space to work in – they could come deep, pick up the ball and run with it, with no-one trying to prevent the ball being played into their feet. Ronaldo’s attacking intent helped Rommdahl attack, and vice-versa.
Uneventful midfield
For the record, the midfield battle was static and uneventful. Christian Eriksen was marked out of the game for the second match running, with Miguel Veloso sticking tightly to him, happy to follow him into wide positions content in the knowledge that Denmark rarely had a player becoming the ’second number ten’.
That was because William Kvist and Niki Zimling (and his replacement Jakub Poulsen) stayed deep in midfield and rarely made forward movements. They were tracked by Joao Moutinho and Raul Meireles, and these sets of players cancelled each other out. Meireles offered more forward runs which gave Moutinho space, and he played the most passes of any Portuguese player).
In fact, with no-one available in this zone, both sides looked to bypass the midfield. Denmark tried to play out from the back with Daniel Agger and Simon Kjaer, and they both used their good passing skills by looking to hit the front three directly. For Portugal that was even more evident, with both Pepe and Bruno Alves’ passing very long and often wayward.
Portugal go 2-0 up
But the real action was down that same flank. Rommedahl was the most obvious offender in the first half, continually letting Coentrao past. Portugal put pressure upon the Danes in the early stages, eventually breaking through from a left-wing corner, one of many good set-piece deliveries in the first half.
From then on, the goals were all from open play, all from that flank. For the second, Coentrao was allowed to wander forward with the ball (Rommedahl was nowhere to be seen), and the left-back had all the time he liked to swing in a cross. Nani picked up the ball on the far side and passed to Postiga to finish.
Ronaldo switches off, Denmark draw level
At 2-0, Bento might have considered telling his wingers to sit deeper, but the Danes started to dominate possession and Jacobsen kept sneaking past Ronaldo. For the first Denmark goal, Ronaldo’s work rate can’t be questioned – he did try to close down Jacobsen – but he switched off and got into a poor position, meaning Denmark could hit a long diagonal out to the right-back, and a very neatly worked goal started from that position.
In the second half, Bento had ample opportunity to fix the problem. Ronaldo was still walking back, with Jacobsen pushed increasingly high up the pitch and Kjaer trusted in a 1 v 1 situation against Ronaldo. Denmark always had an out-ball on the right, always the long diagonal to Jacobsen.
Ronaldo should have been removed from that zone – it’s unlikely he would have been substituted, but Postiga was being withdrawn anyway (with Oliveira coming on) – Ronaldo could have been pushed upfront, with a more defensive-minded player used on the left.
Ronaldo could have made this irrelevant had he converted either of the two one-on-one chances he had, but his shots were very disappointing. His poor finishing failed to clinch the win, and his poor defensive positioning nearly cost Portugal the win. Jacobsen got forward yet again and crossed for Nicklas Bendtner to head home his second goal of the game.
Final stages
Now Portugal had to go for it. Varela replaced Meireles, and like against Germany, Portugal went with a fluid Nani-Ronaldo-Varela-Oliveira quartet for the final ten minutes.
Inevitably, the goal came from the Portuguese left, with Coentrao getting forward to deliver the cross. Rommedahl had since departed through injury, Tobias Mikkelsen had a period on the right, but for this goal it seemed to be another substitute, Lasse Schone, defending that flank. He was turned far too easily by Coentrao.
For the short period remaining, Bento finally got the message. Oliveira, despite being regarded as an out-and-out striker, was moved to the left, with Ronaldo pushed upfront. That – plus the use of an auxiliary centre-back, Rolando – helped Portugal close out the 3-2. But really, they should have been closing out a 2-1, and Bento got lucky with Varela’s late goal having failed to address a clear shortcoming in Portgual’s defensive shape.
Conclusion
Denmark’s right-winger didn’t defend, so Portugal attacked down the left. Portugal’s left-winger didn’t defend, so Denmark attacked down the right. Not much more to it.
Both sides are on three points and can progress with a result on the final day of Group B.
Portugal have world class players,who do not give their full potential to the national team.Ronaldo missed 3 goals,Nani was poor,Pepe(yes he scored,but it was more of a giant mistake by Denmark’s defence)let Bendtner free for a couple of times and he scored 2 goals.
As for Denmark they are a tough side as always.Olsen should think about doing something with Eriksen.Second match-we don’t see him.
Nani had a good game.
He stretched the Danes by staying wide and provided a good crossing display. He also tracked Simon Poulsen well.
He was probably Portugal’s best man on the field (except Pepe maybe).
Agree, I think Nani’s done well in this tournament (and is quite underrated on the whole, probably as he’s a bit poncy)
Exactly, you don’t see Pillip Lahm being turned around as often as Nani did to him in the 1st match.
great point
Lahm is half the player at left back, its true …
Agreed with Cogito. Lahm is not as good offensively at left back as he was during 2006-2008. Also, he’s way more solid defensively playing as a right back.
Did we watch the same match? I thought Nani and Pepe both could stake claim to MOTM honors
I don’t think Nani has been given enough credit for his assist on the second Portuguese goal. Clever little cross.
Appaling display by Ronaldo!
He did enjoy a decent 1st half, always running at the defense and taking advantage of the space in front of him.
In the 2nd half Jacobssen played tight to him and Ronaldo disappeared… literally, has he was nowhere to be seen defensively… Denmark worked exlusevily with diagonal balls down that flank.
Ronaldo clearly wasn’t fatigued, and with M.Veloso following Eriksen around, he couldn’t cover, so I really doubt it was Paulo Bento’s instructions for Ronaldo to stay high up.
He really should have been subbed, especially after the 2 misses. That reminded me of Balloteli and how Prandelli dealt wiht him… and what di Natale did.
Great analysis as always.
Just wanted to point out that, according to your own rules, Jacob Poulsen is the one who should be displayed in the Danish line up rather than Zimling.
You’re right! Shall I break my own rules?
I thought Portugal got away with it today. They looked relatively strong in defense and despite Pepe being at fault for both goals, he was the best CB on the field and his goal was the best header I have seen at this tournament. Coentrao got forward throughout and was a good weapon in breaking Denmark down, especially as ZM stated when he wasn’t being tracked. Nani was also very good, looking dangerous when he got on the ball and his final delivery was always very good. Portugal’s problem was their midfield, which was constantly bypassed, meaning Portugal couldn’t see out the game comfortably. Moutinho was criminally unused today, as his calmness on the ball could have helped Portugal protect their lead. Ronaldo also had a shocking performance, as his main role in the team is to play high up and finish moves. He failed to do this with very poor finishing, and then his slack in tracking back proved decisive in Denmark getting their RB forward to score. If Portugal are going to get a result against Holland, they will need to use their midfield more in getting the ball forward. Ronaldo will also have to finish his chances if he is to justify his position high up the pitch.
Denmark look disorganized when put under pressure at the back, and look very likely to lose against the Germans in the next round. They were courageous enough to push their RB forward to try and snatch a draw, a tactic that nearly worked. Eriksen was again very quiet, with Veloso marking him tightly. Krohn-Dehli’s movement was good on the wing, always looking to make runs in behind and into the penalty area, while Bendtner was clinical with his chances and generally lead the line well. The two CB’s passing skills was the real plus for the Danish side, as they both moved out and sprayed balls around the pitch, helping Denmark recycle attacks and switch the angle of the moves.
Denmark look out of the tournament, they don’t look capable of getting a result against Germany. Portugal will face a tough game against Holland, but they have the upper hand and will be able to sit back and ask Holland to break them down. The issue will be whether Ronaldo and Nani can utilize the space Holland will leave behind them.
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“If Portugal are going to get a result against Holland, they will need to use their midfield more in getting the ball forward.”
Agreed. Moutinho must be used more.
They even have Veloso who is capable of moving the ball forward. With two good passers I really didn’t get why Bruno Alves was lumbering the ball forward every time. Just a waste of talent not using their midfield.
moutiniho was used quite high up the pitch in the match compared to the last . he isnt like ozil or eriksen who have an eye for pass or can play one two . he is typical portuguese player who likes to drive the ball or get to end of things being created by others . i dont know why tiago is not in the starting line up he is good holding player also a good passer of the ball and is definitely better creator ( even though he is not credited with that ) than mireles or moutiniho .
Tiago retired from international football, like many other players like Simão and Miguel (just to name a few), because they didn’t like Queiroz and his style of managment.
Definitely agree with your last comment and I’m especially keen to see what Nani does to Willems. I can see him getting turned inside out and picking up a couple of yellows.
Agree. Willems is simply not defensively sound enough to play left back at this level yet. Woeful positioning really. That combined with Nani’s impressive play so far this tournament does not bode well for the Dutch.
I believe Willems is suspended for the third game….
Nope, according to some quick online checking, he did not pick up a yellow card in the Denmark game. So I believe he is good to go! Looking forward to this match up.
I don’t think Willems was that bad individually, he just didn’t get enough help.
Good point, will be a key battle. Especially if Affelay plays LW, he gives no defensive protection at all. They miss playing Kuyt there defensively.
The three goals that Portugal suffer were all from the left side. Large crosses that explore the movement of the defenders to the left to compensate the absence of help to Coentrao.
With Van der Wiel and Robben or Kuyt, will be a great problem that decision of Ronaldo´s positioning high up in the pitch. Maybe it would scare Van der Wiel but as a Portuguese i´m really worried about that.
The tendencie of Ronaldo to stay up also brings another problem and that´s the possibility of using a 4-2-3-1 system, because there´s one man less in the midfield to balance the team, besides the dangerous positioning of Ronaldo.With Veloso, Moutinho and Meireles it´s hard, with only two and with Ronaldo lazy in defending it´s impossible.
By the way Pepe and Hummels would be a perfect centre back partnership.
Didn’t think of that, if Van der Wiel is brave enough he could exploit Ronaldo’s lack of tracking back. Would be the first time he has really got forward in this tournament though.
I said the same things on the Soccernet forums:
Ronaldo’s defensive effort has been atrocious for both games so far.
Of course, that could be a tactical feature. Maybe one of the Portugal midfielders was supposed to peel off and help Coentrao while Ronaldo stayed high up the pitch, and so maybe someone else is at fault here.
But the more likely scenario is that Ronaldo, like most other wingers, had to track back and just didn’t.
You could tell by his body language every time he lost the ball that he had no interested in playing defense. As soon as someone took it away from him, he would drop his shoulders and walk back to his left wing position, allowing the Danes (and the Germans before that) to run roughshod down his flank or to bring the ball inside from the wing without any pressure.
Portugal needs him, but maybe he really should start up front as the striker instead.
And he’s the captain?! Either he’s been given free rein, or isn’t following instructions. If it’s the later, well, that’s just terrible leadership.
i agree with you and just dont understand on what basis was he made the captain because he is the one player who causes the trouble and will always question the coaches tactics rather than thinking about his work rate and the contribution he makes .there are many a teams where the big club players are made the captains rather than having those who fully deserve it or somebody who is more eligible .
Pepe is really a great defender.
By far in the club of Chiellini, Kompany, Pique, Thiago Silva and Hummels as the best in the World.
Pepe is a world class defender, possibly the best in the world when he doesn’t loose it and try to break other players’ legs.
I completely agree with the analysis, it was very frustrating to watch Portugal’s woes on the left flank and Bento not doing anything about it. If I, a mere spectator, managed to see it surely he must have realised it too? What was he thinking, he almost lost them the game.
Also, what is up with all the trolls? Do something about it please.
@ZM
Rommedahl was substituted due to injury.
Not that it weakened the Danes though. Mikkelsen did well.
Moreover you wrote: “That was because William Kvist and Niki Zimling (and his replacement Jakub Poulsen) stayed deep in midfield and rarely made forward ”
That is not entirely true, as Jakob Poulsen actually made several offensive runs, which meant that Kvist was outnumbered on several occasions. For Kvist and Zimling it was true though.
nom nom
I don’t know the orders from the coach. But since Veloso also used to play as left-back, I would assume that he would be the right man to close the left side of Portugal and allow Ronaldo to remain high on the field.
Does Ronaldo supposed to do defensive job?,He has been playing like whole of his professional career, He does not have defensive skill and better use his energy to score goal. His mistakes in front of the goal is the worst problem, If you miss two one-on-one chances then there is great chance you got beaten.
To compensate Ronaldo’s lack of defensive effort, you need to make sure someone else cover wide area, so it often result in whole team’s shape need to be changed. It is possible that you can play Ronaldo as a CF but he is not good at that area.
I love ZM, but this Messi fanboy-ish Ronaldo bashing is very tiresome at times.
Whenever Messi has a good game, ZM acts as if Messi ran the show on his own. When Ronaldo decides a game on his own it isn’t even mentioned most times.
If Messi fails to score (most obvious example being the 1-2 at the Emirates when he missed 3 or 4 sitters) it isn’t mentioned either (with the argumentation always being, “It isn’t about individuals”). And now, Ronaldo, after a fantastic game against Germany, has a bad game for once and immediately a whole article is written about it…
Which game against Germany are we talking about here? I’m sure you’re not talking about the one a few days ago, are you?
I am! If it had been Mario Gomez in the middle instead of (the joke that is) Postiga CR easily could have had 3-4 assists… furthermore, his defensive contribution was absolutely outstanding.
Actually, Messi DID score in that 1-2, but the referee made the wrong call and annulled it for offside.
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Denmark outpassed Portugal. But played to slowely. Zimling was missed. He actually had more ball handling in than Sneijder in the first game. A loss for Denmark. And Eriksen once again had to run a lot defensively and not being able to dominate offensively.
Ronaldo should have scored twice, but look afraid of Stephan Andersen, who proved his worth in the first game.
Think Pepe did poorly defending. Left Bendtner unmarked at least two times to many. Also Portugal should have suffered a read card early in the game playing handball.
The last round with be a nail biter for both Portugal and Denmark.
Once again a lot of heading goals. Seems to be the way to score a this Euro.
Hey Michael. I’m not sure if this has been suggested before but I think Portugal could benefit by taking off one of their midfielders and playing one of their wingers as a “central winger”?
You could be right. Varela’s impact as a sub might have made Bento think about that. But I’m not sure it’s worth the risk, really, I think you’d be losing more defensively than you’d gain going forward.