Portugal-Bosnia is a match on the third day of Euro 2024 qualifying Group J and is played on Saturday at 20:45: predictions.
Former Belgian coach Roberto Martinez’s adventure in charge of Portugal began with two thunderstorms – 10 goals in total without conceding any – against the unfortunate Liechtenstein and Luxembourg, the two least competitive teams in Group J.
Two resounding victories which, in any case, have already delineated the hierarchies within group J of qualification for the German European Championship, scheduled for next summer. We cannot call them reliable tests, but there have been some comforting signs. First of all, the Lusitanians seem to have immediately ‘digested’ the tactical adjustments decided by the new selector: one above all, the shift to a three-man defence. Contrary to expectations, Martinez chose to put 38-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo back at the centre of the technical project, after the Al-Nassr striker had been somewhat sidelined by predecessor Fernando Santos, who was convinced that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was no longer as indispensable as he once was. Portugal, which for some years now has boasted an abundance of talent in all departments, but at the same time has just come back from a less-than-exciting World Cup, in which it stopped in the quarter-finals.
For Martinez, the match against Bosnia will be the first test of a certain level. And in the event of victory it would already be a breakaway, as none of the other five selections are on full points.
Krunic: Milan player will be unavailable against Portugal
The Balkans’ start was characterised by mixed results and therefore difficult to judge. They debuted with a rounded success (3-0) against Iceland, a possible direct competitor for second place, but surrendered to Slovakia (2-0) who, on the whole, proved to have something more than Dzeko and his team-mates. In any case, qualification is still within reach but, after the challenge in Lisbon, it will be crucial not to make a mistake in the match against Luxembourg next Tuesday. In Portugal, Martinez will field the veterans from the Champions League final (Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva) while in front Ronaldo will be supported by Silva himself and Joao Felix. Bosnia, on the other hand, will feature both Pjanic and Dzeko, who also starred on the night in Istanbul. Milan’s Krunic, who is injured, will not be present. Another forfeit is that of Demirovic.
The prediction
A bittersweet start for Bosnia, who could pay dearly for losing to a direct competitor like Slovakia. It is unlikely that Dzeko and his team-mates will be able to snatch at least a point in Lisbon, against an inspired Portugal who are superior in virtually every department. The total goals should be at least three.
Portugal-Bosnia matchday squad
- PORTOGALLO (3-4-3): Rui Patricio; Antonio Silva, Ruben Dias, Danilo Pereira; Dalot, Palhinha, Bruno Fernandes, Guerreiro; Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix.
- BOSNIA (5-3-2): Sehic; Dedic, Ahmedhodzic, Milicevic, Sanicanin, Gazibegovic; Hadziahmetovic, Cimirot, Pjanic; Dzeko, Prevljak.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 3-1
