Before the start of Portugal vs France, few people expected this match to showcase top-level modern football. Based on the previous matches of these teams in this tournament, it was anticipated to be a game with few chances and low spectacle. My colleague Joseph Andrew accurately predicted a 0-0 draw, which is exactly what happened.
Germany and Spain also played on the same day. In terms of quality and spectacle, it was arguably the best match of Euro 2024, with many exciting moments and three goals scored.
So the question arises: Why was there such a difference in spectacle between Portugal vs France and Germany vs Spain?
Contrasting Styles: A Tale of Two Quarterfinals
The matches between Germany vs Spain and Portugal vs France took place on the same day – with only a 15-minute difference between them – but the games exhibited a stark contrast in playing style.
Tudo a postos! 👊 #PartilhaAPaixão pic.twitter.com/dESy1NYb30
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) July 5, 2024
Portugal and France played slowly, particularly in the first half. Both teams showed reluctance to take risks by attempting quick progressive passes. Instead, they patiently circulated the ball, hoping their opponents would make a mistake that could be exploited on the counter-attack.
Additionally, neither team pressed or counter-pressed aggressively. When losing possession, they tended to drop back into a defensive formation in their own half, often unorganized.
The positional attacks of both teams lacked structure and fluidity. Players struggled to find space between the lines, making moving the ball into the final third challenging.
ALLEZ LES GARS !!! 🔵⚪️🔴
🇵🇹0-0🇫🇷 | #PORFRA | #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/plUv2xElNG
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) July 5, 2024
Many of the attacks consisted of short and medium passes, lacking variety and creativity. Long passes, diagonal balls, and incisive through balls into the penalty area were rare. Players often opted for simple, safe passes to nearby teammates.
Overall, Portugal and France focused on keeping it tight at the back and waiting for a mistake from the opposition. Their approach was reactive, relying on their opponents to blink first.
In contrast, Germany and Spain played at a higher tempo, proactively moving the ball into the final third and pressing aggressively when out of possession. Their attacks were structured and diverse, aiming to create opportunities through combinations, even in tight spaces.
⏸️ 𝗖’𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗟𝗔 𝗣𝗔𝗨𝗦𝗘
Les 2 équipes sont au coude à coude !
🇵🇹0-0🇫🇷 | #PORFRA | #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/eAnijtQ0yu
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) July 5, 2024
The difference in playing game models reflected the reliance on timely and creative attacking football by Luis De La Fuente and Julian Nagelsmann. Although their teams displayed different strengths and styles, both coaches emphasized creativity throughout the game.
Despite not scoring a plethora of goals or creating countless chances, Germany and Spain’s proactive tactical setups were a breath of fresh air.
De La Fuente and Nagelsmann showcased the cohesion and tactical acumen often found in top European clubs, proving that national teams led by great coaches can perform at the highest level.
The Main Problems of Martínez and Deschamps
The Portuguese Football Federation has made puzzling choices in selecting national team coaches. Following the somewhat fortunate success at Euro 2016 (where Portugal won only one match in regulation time), Fernando Santos, known for his ultra-defensive coaching style, remained in charge for an extended period.
Portugal had disappointing performances at Euro 2020 and World Cup 2022 during his tenure despite boasting one of the strongest squads at both tournaments.
“CONTRA OS CANHÕES MARCHAAAAR” 🥹🇵🇹 #PartilhaAPaixão | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/UowlWIXBnq
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) July 5, 2024
After Santos, the management appointed Roberto Martínez as coach. Martínez had previously struggled with the “golden generation” of the Belgian national team and had managed clubs like Wigan and Everton.
His coaching style was not focused on creating a strong positional attack but rather on occasional original tactical innovations that had brought sporadic success.
Martínez took over as coach of the Portuguese national team in January 2023. Since then, he hasn’t significantly altered the team’s attacking approach compared to Santos’ reign. Under Martínez, Portugal continues to play at a pedestrian pace and relies heavily on individual brilliance for their attacking thrust.
Depois de Frankfurt, o apoio português voa para Hamburgo! 🧣🇵🇹 #PartilhaAPaixão
🫂 Junta-te ao Portugal+: https://t.co/8aJKQNYgMo pic.twitter.com/HKEq1PFy8U
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) July 4, 2024
On the other hand, Didier Deschamps is a more decorated coach. Before taking charge of the French national team, he led Monaco to the 2004 Champions League final and won the French championship with Marseille in 2010.
However, it’s worth noting that this was 14 years ago, and the landscape of club football has evolved significantly since then.
Under Deschamps’ leadership, France achieved great success with a highly talented squad, reaching the finals of Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup, and winning the 2018 World Cup. Despite consistently having an exceptional pool of players, the team faced challenges in defensive and offensive organization in each of these tournaments.
Les Bleus sous Didier Deschamps… 🇫🇷
Mondial 2014 ➡️ 1/4 de finale
Euro 2016 ➡️ Finale 🥈
Mondial 2018 ➡️ Vainqueur 🏆
Euro 2021 ➡️ 1/8 de finale
Mondial 2022 ➡️ Finale 🥈
Euro 2024 ➡️ 1/2 finale (minimum)Aucune nation européenne ne fait mieux. On banalise trop. 😱 pic.twitter.com/LUrkyEBMVH
— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) July 6, 2024
Deschamps has frequently been criticized for struggling to find the ideal tactical formation for the team and for relying too heavily on individual player talent rather than fostering cohesive team play.
At Euro 2024, the French coach has been experimenting with the team’s formation and playing style in every match, continually seeking to strike the right balance. Nonetheless, in the earlier stages of the tournament, France managed to construct effective positional attacks and dictate play against their opponents. The team also displayed improved defensive organization.
The main issue for France has been their poor conversion of scoring opportunities. Overall, France’s showcased a more coherent and refined attacking style than Portugal in Euro 2024.
𝑳𝑬 𝑪𝑯𝑶𝑪 🇵🇹🇫🇷
Les Bleus affrontent le Portugal en 1/4 de finale de l’#Euro2024
⏰ 21h00
📺 M6 et beIN SPORTS 1
🏟️ Hambourg#PORFRA | #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/35VL5Vv2QJ— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) July 5, 2024
But in the game against Portugal, the French team initially played defensively, relying on counter-attacks and waiting for their opponents to make mistakes. However, their defensive positioning was too narrow, which led to obvious gaps in defense.
It was only in the second half, after the Portuguese team exploited these weaknesses and created scoring opportunities, that France started to play more actively.
It’s evident that the French coach, Didier Deschamps, is still trying to find the right tactical balance for his team. Currently, he seems to prioritize defensive play over organized attacks. He is banking on the individual skill of his players to carry the team to success, hoping that their talent will compensate for any tactical shortcomings.
Cristiano Ronaldo et Didier Deschamps 🇵🇹🤝🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/ldC8d4W3Ta
— Vibes Foot (@VibesFoot) July 5, 2024
Deschamps’ strategy may rely heavily on the strength of France’s squad, to reach the final and silence any criticisms of his decisions.
Flanks Key in Portugal vs France: Opportunities and Defensive Concerns
Reflecting on the Portugal vs France match, it’s clear that the most dangerous moments emerged from flank attacks.
France defended with a narrow 4-3-1-2 formation, with Randal Kolo Muani and Kylian Mbappé not heavily involved in defense. This allowed Portugal to exploit the space on the flanks, particularly through Nuno Mendes and Rafael Leão on the left and João Cancelo and Bernardo Silva on the right.
Their dribbling and sharp passes created the most dangerous opportunities for Portugal. However, I believe that Portugal could have utilized diagonal passes more effectively to take advantage of the flanks.
Ils sont là 👊#PORFRA | #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/xWGxboYwLF
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) July 5, 2024
If France employs a similar defensive strategy against Spain, they might encounter difficulties in defending near their own goal.
On the other hand, Portugal also struggled defensively on the flanks, especially on the left. Rafael Leão’s reluctance to contribute in defense allowed Jules Koundé to exploit the space and create opportunities for France, particularly when linking up with Ousmane Dembélé on the left.
111′ Encore une frappe de nos Français, celle-ci passe au dessus !
🇵🇹0-0🇫🇷 | #PORFRA | #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/aEvSNclmrB
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) July 5, 2024
Additionally, Bruno Fernandes didn’t consistently track back in defense, and there were overall issues with the organization of Portugal’s midfield. If France had played with a more attacking style, they might have capitalized on Portugal’s positional errors and scored in regulation time.
Disappointing Display from Portugal & France: Coaching Questions Emerge
Portugal and France displayed a game of noticeably lower quality compared to Spain and Germany. In my opinion, the main reason for this is that Roberto Martínez and Didier Deschamps are not top-level coaches. Their squads have underperformed both in attack and defense throughout the tournament.
Orgulho no nosso percurso. Voltaremos mais fortes. #PartilhaAPaixão pic.twitter.com/S2jIkVwys3
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) July 5, 2024
Deschamps still has a chance to elevate the team’s performance in the upcoming game, but for Martínez, this tournament has concluded on a disappointing note. His approach failed to bring out the best in a talented Portuguese squad.
I am hopeful to see the current golden generation of Portuguese players at the next World Cup in 2026 under the guidance of a new, better, and more proactive coach.
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