Italy have won just once in their last seven matches, highlighting a player development problem beyond changing managers. Read more »
Portugal Analysis
UEFA Nations League Match Abstract: Portugal 1, Italy 0
A World Cup Abstract: Uruguay 2, Portugal 1
Fernando Santos predicted that with both sides so close in ability and tactics, Ronaldo would make the difference for Portugal to go through. Edinson Cavani ended up being the difference. Read more »
The Defining Matches Of The 2018 World Cup Group Stage
The struggles of the traditional soccer powers gave an opportunity for bubbling sides like Belgium and Croatia to stamp their mark in Russia. Read more »
Fernando Santos, Bernardo Silva And Portugal A Year Later
The negativity towards Fernando Santos just a year after delivering Portugal's first senior trophy at first seems too reactionary. There's no need for an evolution from his point of view. Santos heads into the 2018 World Cup playing with house money, for better or worse. Read more »
Wise, Simple & Young: Portugal Prepares For 2018 World Cup
Fernando Santos has emphasized his simple fundamentals of a strong defense and a midfield press that takes advantage of the youth in that position. Santos side not only won their first senior international trophy last summer but also built the foundation for success at 2018 and 2020. Read more »
Tchau To All That
The individual brilliance of the early matches was eventually neutralized by countries with better all-around squads and this was a World Cup that became reasonably predictable once we escaped the group stage. But every single minute was thrilling and worth it. Read more »
Messi, Suarez & Costa Rica: An Ode To The 2014 World Cup Group Stages
The deluge of goals from Messi, Neymar, Müller, Robben and Van Persie, impressive play from Costa Rica and Colombia, and the bite seen round the world all overshadowed the changing of the era. Read more »
Group G: Group Of Press
Germany is the favorite to win the group, but they’ll miss Marco Reus’ attack from midfield. Portugal carry much of the same squad that made it to the semifinals of Euro 2012, and Ronaldo is always dangerous. The opening match between U.S. and Ghana will decide if either has a chance at advancing. Read more »
The 2014 World Cup: A Tournament Of Transition
The best attacker in this 2014 World Cup will be a country’s press. Of course, games are won by brilliant moments from individual players. Genius does still exist. But the modern game is less Steve Jobs than it is Wikipedia. Read more »