Man to watch- Bastian Schweinsteiger.
The last time they faced each other was in the 3rd place game in the 2006 World Cup. Final result: Germany 3-1 Portugal. Schweinsteiger scored all 3 goals with Ricardo in goal.
For Portugal- Forward Nuno Gomes had come in as a substitute, replacing Pauleta, and scored a header. There was no Ricardo Carvalho in the starting lineup because he had a red card in the previous game. So it was Fernando Meira and Paolo Ferreira's turn to start.
For once the main talking point for the opponent is not Cristiano Ronaldo. It's goalkeeper Ricardo.
Pre-match talk has been dominated with: Portugal goalkeeper Ricardo, Germany 3-1 Portugal game in the 2006 World Cup, and stopping Cristiano Ronaldo.
- June 17th- goalkeeper Jens Lehmann
- It's a psychological game too so in yesterday's Germany team press conference, he reminded people that Schweinsteiger had scored 3 times against Ricardo in that 2006 world cup game AND once when Ricardo was goalkeeper in Sporting Lisboa.
- June 18th- Bastian Schweinsteiger.
- In the Germany team press conference guess who faced the press? I liked that he didn't say Cristiano Ronaldo is the only man to watch in the Portugal team! He said
"It's not only Ronaldo, who's an excellent player. There's also Deco, Simao, and Joao Moutinho, they're excellent players." - Lothar Matthäus
- had said that goalkeeper Ricardo is the weakest element in the Portugal national team. In yesterday's press conference they asked Cristiano Ronaldo what he thought of that,
"It's obvious that people will find defects in everything. Like they find them
in me, Ricardo and other players. I think Ricardo has done a great season. He's a great goalkeeper. We trust him. From my part, congratulations. Everyone is free to say what he wants but I don't agree."
Of course most Portuguese fans, media know that it's true. Ricardo is not in his best shape. Quim, the Benfica goalkeeper deserved a place in the starting lineup even in the last 2 Euro 2008 qualifying games! Ricardo has shown insecurity and doesn't play often at Real Betis, now the 2nd choice goalkeeper.
- What are your thoughts on this game tomorrow?