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Though I am a supporter of Portugal, with the way things are moving on and with France defeating Germany in the semis, and the ousted Germany being a better team than Portugal, I feel France stands a better chance
- Armando Colaco, former India coach
Since France has been playing well and being the hosts, they are the favourites to me. But that said, my heart is with Portugal though my mind speaks otherwise
- Rufino Monteiro, GFDC Chairman
I am supporting France as they are playing total football. It is a treat to watch their attacking brand of football. Two of Arsenal players, Oliver Giroud upfront and Koscielny in defence are there too. For sure, France will win this Cup and I predict 4-2 in their favour in regular time.
- Lavinio Rebello, GFA VP (North)
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Tonight, two number sevens take the field with their respective countries. One, Cristiano Ronaldo, probably the most famous number seven in the world right now, one of the top two football players of this era. The second is Antoine Griezmann, top scorer in the Euros with six goals and a shoo-in for the golden boot, unless Cristiano scores four goals. Griezmann has been a revelation for France in this tournament and the team will be looking to him to lead from the front, literally.
France has been one of the few teams in the tournament playing classic football: others being Iceland and Wales. Although the semifinal scorelines may put them on par with each other, one should not merely go by numbers alone.
Portugal and France have locked horns before, with France emerging the winner almost every time. This time too, history, statistics and more are on their side. France has been far superior to Portugal in the 2016 Euros and are surely favourites to win. Here are a few reasons why.
GAMEPLAY
Portugal has struggled for a long time without a natural striker. This has been on for more than a decade. In this tournament too, they’ve been playing with a wide forward (Nani) up front, although Cristiano Ronaldo has been hitting the net and assisting too.
France on the other hand has more players than Portugal, who are in form. Cristiano, Nani and Renato Sanches have played well and scored for Portugal, but aside from Pepe, their defence has been a bit shaky. France’s wide play and quick pace might just spread them thin. With Olivier Giroud, Griezmann and Payet in form, as well as Pogba in midfield, Laurent Koscielny, Patrice Evra and Bacary Sagna in defence, France has surely been the better ‘team’ all through the tournament. Joao Moutinho may distribute the ball well, but this time he’s going to come up against a resolute back four.
MIDFIELD WARS
Since both teams don’t have natural wide players, this is a match that will be mostly contested in the middle of the park. Cedric Soares and Raphael Guerreiro versus N’Golo Kante, Blaise Maitudi and Paul Pogba, although William Carvalho may return for Portugal. Just two of the three Frenchmen are a match for the Portuguese central pairing. Whoever controls the middle can dictate the flow of the game. Both the teams have attacking midfielders who can carry the ball forward, but it’s the enforcers who will have to conduct the orchestra.
HISTORY
France has won a tournament when they have hosted it. They won the Euros in 1984 and the World Cup in 1998. Their home support has been tremendous, although the start of the tournament wasn’t really the best in terms of support, they have won their fans over with brilliant team play. They go into the Stade de France amidst a sea of blue.
It’s not going to be an easy game for either side, and although, on the face of things it’s a game that could go either way, France is the stronger, tactically superior team who are playing at home.
