Period Is 3 Days Away

Preview: The Iberian Derbi.

I have not clear if today be a cry of patriotism, an appeal to pride or an appeal to the feat. I would say, rather, now turn to play. Simply. Overcome the nerves of the first phase, which started to stumble, the English national team gets in eighth with a team worthy, but in any case better, so that the heroic appeals to victory should come from Portugal and theirs should be the plots and the stamps.

Compared to the Portuguese with our former rivals, the most significant is that in Portugal we know everything. The other opponents, before confronting them, were theory, the practice is today. We know the ferocity of Pepe, Simao verticality of the left foot of Doubt, the thrust of Tiago and the influence of Christian. And others we know of looking over the fence or the recurring rounds against Porto and Benfica. Queiroz also know from his word florid, his defensive rigor (little spring) and their resentment of Madrid.


So the first objective should be that we keep the party away from the unpredictable. Namely, an arbitrator fickle, a tactic trap (type Bielsa) or a Christian unleashed. If we achieve such a thing, if only one battle of eleven against eleven, the issue will scratch their defense until we get out a prize. It will not be easy: Portugal, which qualified for the finals in the playoffs (to Bosnia) accumulated 16 months without losing nine competitive matches without conceding.

To meet that challenge, Del Bosque (true man) bet on the same team that played against Chile, including Xabi Alonso and his battered ankle. The San Sebastian (not de Bilbao) completed the test yesterday and confirmed their presence. Javi Martínez, how it became clear, was his first turnover.

No news on the sides, although in the case of Capdevila (highly skilled, slightly faster) can sense a weak defense that has not gone unnoticed by Queiroz. In fact, it is expected that Portugal, which played against Brazil only Christian in a point, line today Simao strike next to Madrid for two from the ends; Liedson who would wait for the centers to the area.

available to confirm this bold tactic (4-3-3), Spain not only have more quality in midfield, midfielders but also more and more space to develop. That advantage could be decisive and make us more bearable pressure rival.

That the party meets the eye, no one doubts. However, we are not facing the France of 2006 (strong), Korea, 2002 (host) or the Italy of 94 (just Italian). And we did not find in the quarter, which is the border which appeals to our fears. That's why the match against Portugal is released dramatic components and puts us, paradoxically, at the first commitment without ghosts. That is the hope for those who still hope that between the orchestra.

The match will be played at the beautiful Green Point stadium, situated in the charming neighborhood of the same name (home of much of the gay and lesbian) and 200 meters from the Atlantic (the ultimate challenge Jabulani is to finish in the sea.) Perfect setting for a game they should be, finally, at the height of our dreams.