Portugal Vs Czech Republic: Big Stars Challenged By Euro Subscription Team

Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandez, two Portuguese backbone stars (photo: x @celecaoportugal)

JAKARTA - Star-filled Portugal will be led by Cristiano Ronaldo as they start their Euro 2024 campaign against the Czech Republic, on Tuesday 18 June or Wednesday morning WIB at the Red Bull Arena, Leipzig.

The 2016 champions appeared unsatisfactory at Euro 2020 and were eliminated from the 2022 World Cup in the hands of their neighbor Morocco.

Since then, they have appointed Roberto Martinez as coach and set the best record in qualifying, so they feel confident to start well against the Czech Republic.

Meanwhile, the Czech Republic, which has always been present consistently in the European Cup, finished second in qualifying behind Albania.

Roberto Martinez is expected to field Selecao in a 4-3-3 formation with Rafael Leao and Joao Felix competing to start on the left flank.

Several other decisions must also be made in which Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Ruben Neves are all options to join Fulham's Joao Palhinha and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes in midfield.

Veteran defender Pepe, 41, is likely to beat Goncalo Inacio in the heart of defense. Raphael Guerreiro will miss the Euros due to injury.

Czech midfielder Michal Sadilek has also been ruled out during the tournament, after suffering a leg injury while cycling a few days before the match.

Tomas Soucek of West Ham will be present in midfield and Patrik Schick is expected to be the main contributor to the goal for a team that does not have much of a threat in the front line sector.

Player Composition Forecast

Portugal: Costa; Cancelo, Pepe, Dias, Mendes; Fernandes, Palhinha, J. Neves; B. Silva, Ronaldo, Leao

Czech Republic: Stanek; Vitik, Holes, Hranac; Coufal, Soucek, Provod, Burak, D. Jurasek; Schick, Chytil