Portugal v France: UEFA EURO 2016 final preview
Saturday, July 9, 2016
Article summary
Didier Deschamps and his players are "privileged" to have made it to a home final against a Portugal side boosted by Pepe's fitness but needing to end a ten-game losing run if they are to lift a first major trophy.
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Article body
- Portugal – eyeing a first major trophy – take on hosts France in UEFA EURO 2016 final
- France have won their last ten games against Portugal, a run dating back to 1975
- France coach Didier Deschamps: "We need to seize this opportunity"
- Les Bleus also won EURO '84 and 1998 FIFA World Cup on home soil
- Portugal's Fernando Santos says his side have "great belief"
- Portugal defender Pepe expected to be declared fit to start
Possible line-ups
Portugal: Rui Patrício; Cédric, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro; William Carvalho, Adrien, João Mário, Renato Sanches; Nani, Ronaldo.
Doubtful: Pepe (thigh)
Pepe missed the semi-final with a thigh injury but trained on Saturday and "didn't express any complaints", according to Fernando Santos. William Carvalho is expected to replace Danilo in central midfield.
France: Lloris; Sagna, Koscielny, Umtiti, Evra; Pogba, Matuidi; Sissoko, Griezmann, Payet; Giroud.
France should be unchanged, despite French media speculation about N'Golo Kanté being brought in to stiffen the midfield and whether Dimitri Payet should start after a quiet game in the semis.
Coach quotes
Fernando Santos, Portugal
I've said before that our objective was to play in the final and win it. We have great belief because we want to make the Portuguese people happy. We want to give them something to celebrate.
I don't think there's any point discussing the France team. Everyone knows them very well. Right from the beginning I've always said there would be three favourites to win this competition: France, Spain and Germany. And then there were other contenders, including Portugal, who could perhaps also win it.
If we have to pay attention to individuals then we would have to worry about everyone – I would have to list every single name in the France team. They have well-known, top-quality players who play at big teams around the world. Of course, every individual player can make the difference, but Portugal also have a strong team with individual match winners.
I've said many times how much I appreciate and am grateful for all the support we've had every day, not only at the stadiums but on the way there and at Marcoussis [the Portugal training base]. Tomorrow we will need them even more.
Didier Deschamps, France
We have this opportunity to become European champions. Whether you're 18, 20 or much older, there's a chance to win a title and we need to seize it without thinking about what might happen in the future. The players know they're privileged to be playing the UEFA EURO 2016 final at home in Paris.
We haven't had a chance to work on tactics since the semi-final. It's all been about recovering from that match, but I'm confident my players will be ready for this huge game.
[My win as a player in 2000] belongs to the past. This is their story. I'm a part of it, of course, because I'm the coach. I use it to my advantage, the fact I've won major competitions as a player; that helps me, but I never talk about the past. What matters now is the present and the future.
Portugal have a lot of quality and it's no accident they're here. Like us, they were criticised at the start of the tournament. Like us, they are now in the final. They are an experienced team who can alter their system to deal with opponents. Their defensive triangle is solid. They don't try to win the ball back high up the pitch, but try to break quickly with their two quick players up front.
EURO2016.com team reporters
Joe Walker, Portugal (@UEFAcomJoeW)
Nobody would have believed you if you had said Portugal would make it to the final after their 1-1 draw with Iceland on matchday one, but here they are. Santos, to be fair, has been insistent they would win the trophy from the off and now they are just one game away. The return of Pepe at the back is a huge boost, while the decision to start William Carvalho or Danilo to help stunt Paul Pogba and Co is a big one. If the same Cristiano Ronaldo that played against Wales turns up, Portugal could well be in business.
David Crossan, France (@UEFAcomDavidC)
This final has to be won by the French for the dream to come true. Deschamps' squad have dealt with a multitude of problems over the past year and always produced the goods on the field. They have remained unflustered this tournament even when in danger, and in Griezmann they possess a true global star. I back Les Bleus to be carried to victory by the French public, who hold the players in almost as high esteem as the golden generation that followed up FIFA World Cup success in 1998 by lifting the trophy at UEFA EURO 2000.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Portugal: WDWDDDWLWW
France: WWWDWWWWWW
Did you know?
Ronaldo and Rui Patrício (both 600) have seen more minutes of UEFA EURO 2016 action than any other players. Three of the France side have not missed a minute of Les Bleus' campaign either – who are they? Find out that and more in our extensive match background.
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