Euro 2016 - Let not the contest be a dull affair

I am not sure whether I shall be able to watch the match tonight or not, but I guess, it won’t be a good idea to watch the match as so far, neither Portugal nor Poland have dished out the sort of football to increase my interest level. Even though, I do want both these teams to come at their very best and glorify the stage, which badly needs the best players of the world to blaze.

Both Portugal and Poland were lucky to advance into the quarterfinals. Croatia and Switzerland played better than Poland and Portugal in the round of 16, but the reality is, the better teams will not clash in the last eight.  

While Cristiano Ronaldo showed the glimpses of his charisma after some frustrating display in the first two group games, Robert Lewandowski, the Polish superstar and pre-tournament favorite to win the golden boot, has not actually managed a shot on target. 643 minutes have passed since Lewandowski scored at a Euros. Lewandowski’s lean patch is a big worry for Poland while Portugal would be hoping for another charismatic display from their talisman CR7.

In one sector, Poland are quite competent than Portugal. Poland’s defence has been solid so far it took an astonishing goal from Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri to breach a defensive unit that had previously not conceded. It was only the third time they had let in a goal in 2016.

Meanwhile,  whenever Jakub Blaszczykowski has scored a goal, Poland have not lost a match. He is Poland’s lucky mascot and so far, he has been the outstanding performer among the players from two teams. The shaky defence of Portugal must be careful about this guy.

This will be Poland and Portugal's third encounter at a major tournament. Poland won 1-0 at the 1986 World Cup and then Portugal enjoyed a 4-0 victory at the 2002 World Cup.

Poland are unbeaten in their past three matches with Portugal (W1, D2).

Their last meeting was a 0-0 draw in Warsaw in February 2012.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar