France may be favourites to beat Portugal in
Sunday’s final and lift the Euro 2016 title on
home soil, but the hosts still have to see
the job through, knowing fully well that
Ronaldo and his team mates can produce
one more upset in the tournament.
The game will see Cristiano Ronaldo and
Antoine Griezmann come up against each
other for another title showdown, just six
weeks after they contested the Champions
League final.
Although France coach Didier Deschamps
says he could feel the adrenaline pumping,
he will have to do a lot to ensure his boys
record another Euro success, 16 years after
lifting the trophy in 2000.
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Here are five things France needs to do to
defeat Portugal
1. Keep a close eye on Ronaldo
Ronaldo had a difficult start to Euro 2016,
but against all odds he is set to play in
tonight’s final. The Real Madrid star has
raised his game and his team at key
moments as Portugal steadily improved
through the knockout rounds.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo knows a victory in this game will
see him lift his first ever trophy for his
country. Hence, France have to be wary of
his threat and his aerial strength. The way
he leaped high in the air to head the opening
goal against Wales in the semifinals suggest
Ronaldo is hungry for success.
2. Caution Hugo Lloris about aerial balls
Often acting as the sweeper by rushing off
his line to thwart attacks early, the
Tottenham goalkeeper can be vulnerable at
crosses. This is one area Coach Deschamps
has to address before the game.
Hugo Lloris
3. Check the runs of Raphael Guerreiro
Guerreiro has impressed at Euro 2016 and
has been lively going forward.
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The Portugal left back deliveries have been
exceptional and he was the one who
provided the cross for Ronaldo’s header
against Wales.
Raphael Guerreiro
This should be no surprise to Borussia
Dortmund, which acted early in the
tournament to sign Guerreiro from French
club Lorient. France will have to do a whole
lot to watch his runs.
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4. Capitalize on home support
France have a habit of winning tournaments
at home. There is something about that
culture. They won the Euros in 1984 when
they hosted and 16 years later in 2000 again
on home soil. Now it is 16 years later from
then and they look to repeat the same feat
with the support of their fans.
Griezmann makes it 4 – 0 with a lob against
Iceland
It is worth noting that France in 1998 also
won the World Cup on home soil too.
5. Avoid pressure on Griezmann
After an impressive campaign with Atletico
Madrid which included a Champions League
final, Griezmann has been tipped by many to
win the Ballon d’Or this year – a prize which
has been shared exclusively between Lionel
Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo after Kaka
claimed it in 2007.
Griezmann and Giroud celebrate
The Atletico Madrid forward is on the brink
of winning the Golden Boot at Euro 2016,
with six goals to his name – three more than
anyone else, including Ronaldo – ahead of
his participation in Sunday’s final for France
against Portugal in Paris.
All eyes will be on him tonight but coach
Deschamps will have to a lot talking to take
the pressure of the young lad.
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