Scout Notes

FPL assets help Ronaldo and Portugal progress in Nations League

Portugal 3-1 Switzerland

Goals: Cristiano Ronaldo x3 | Ricardo Rodriguez

Assists: Bernardo Silva, Gonçalo Guedes | Steven Zuber

  • FPL Involvement:
  • Rui Patrício – 90 minutes
  • Rúben Neves – 90 minutes
  • Bernardo Silva – 90 minutes
  • João Moutinho – 4 minutes
  • Fabian Schär – 90 minutes
  • Xherdan Shaqiri – 90 minutes

Cristiano Ronaldo dominated the headlines as his hat-trick helped Portugal to the inaugural Nations League final.

However, he was helped along the way by a selection of Fantasy Premier League assets who also impressed on Wednesday night.

There were no fewer than six FPL players involved in the game, predominantly for Portugal.

The most high-profile was Manchester City’s midfield dynamo Bernardo Silva, who was deployed behind Ronaldo and João Félix in a 4-3-1-2 system.

However, he had plenty of freedom to roam into wide areas, and it was his ability to find space that led to Portugal’s crucial second goal.

Silva’s ball across the penalty box from the right set up Ronaldo for his sweeping finish into Yann Sommer’s near-post.

However, the Manchester City man was not the only FPL asset to impress in the build-up to that goal.

Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva was a key figure for Portugal on Wednesday

Wolves midfielder Rúben Neves was also present, earning his 11th cap for Portugal and was stationed in the central midfield trio.

It was him who found Silva’s run down the right flank with a trademark long-distance through-ball from deep.

Neves’ club-mate Rui Patrício continues to hold down the fort at the back for Portugal.

Switzerland actually started the game stronger than their hosts, forcing the Wolves goalkeeper into two early saves.

Patrício also correctly guessed which way Rodrigo Rodríguez went with his penalty, getting a touch on it, but was unable to prevent it from ending up in the back of the net.

Switzerland enjoyed spells of the game in which they were the better team.

They were spearheaded by Liverpool’s Xherdan Shaqiri, who was deployed behind striker Haris Seferovic in a 3-5-1-1 formation.

The attacking midfielder created plenty of chances for his team-mates and could have put Switzerland ahead inside the first two minutes but was stopped by an outstretched Patrício.

Newcastle United centre-back Fabian Schär was, as ever, at the heart of Switzerland’s defence.

Despite a defeat for the Swiss, both Shaqiri and Schär should be involved in Saturday’s third-place play-off match.

Xherdan Shaqiri was one of the best players on the pitch – and still has another game on Saturday

Meanwhile, João Moutinho came on as a substitute in stoppage time but Diogo Jota remained on the bench.

Their lack of extensive involvement in the game was probably good news for Wolves as they prepare to start their 2019/20 much earlier than their Premier League rivals, with a handful of key players involved in international tournaments over the summer too.

Centre-back Pepe was the only player to come away with an injury, as all FPL assets in the match retained a clean bill of health.

Portugal XI (4-3-1-2): Patrício; Guerreiro, Dias, Pepe (Fonte 63′), Semedo; W Carvalho, Neves, B Fernandes (Moutinho 90+1′); B Silva; Ronaldo, João Félix (Guedes 70′).

Switzerland XI (3-5-1-1): Sommer, Rodríguez, Akanji, Schär; Zuber (Steffen 83′), Freuler (Drmic 89′), Xhaka, Zakaria (E Fernandes 71′), Mbabu; Shaqiri, Seferovic

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251 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Well done Netherlands fans, I think the Champion's League final killed us. I hope you beat Portugal.

    1. POLSKA GOLA
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      The CL final hasn’t killed VVD or Wijnaldum though. Southgate’s made a selection midtake by not starting Pool players

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Wijnaldum came off early in the final, and VVD is a CB, so not the best comparison. They will have fitness coaches monitoring the condition of the players, and had the likes of Henderson, TAA, Kane been fit to start they would have.

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Don't make excuses for them. They are athletes at the highest level.

          1. Piggs Boson
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            Just lamenting what could have been with a few more Champion's League finalists in the team.

            But the Dutch were deserved winners and I wish them all the best.

          2. GREEN IS GOOD
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            Don't athletes need rest and managing then?

        2. Peter Ouch
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Excuses, excuses, stick with your first top class comment mate.
          The English team can't beat any top team. As always.

          1. POLSKA GOLA
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            Maybe England would’ve won had the Dutch rested VVD and Wijnaldum 😉

          2. GREEN IS GOOD
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            As always? Why, you do have a short memory.

            England beat Spain AWAY 3-2, and Croatia at home 2-1 in the group stages.

            Are these not top teams then?

            1. Peter Ouch
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 9 months ago

              First in the group stages.
              No trophies.

              1. GREEN IS GOOD
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 9 months ago

                You didn't say anything about trophies did you. Oops.

        3. POLSKA GOLA
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Ap those who started are excuses becaus ethey are ‚rusty’ due to long break and those on the bench are too tired despite playing one game in 3 weeks? Nah, I don’t think I can agree with that

    2. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Lol. England is rubbish. Deal with that.

      1. Richd
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Pipe down

    3. Babit1967
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      England are just piss poor, such an overrated team.

      1. POLSKA GOLA
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Ranked at #4 in FIFA ranking, had very good results in last 24 months, so not as crap as you suggest but football is a game of current form, not past results, you’re only as good as your last result

        1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          The ranking is a load of shite mate. Come on everyone agrees with that.

          1. POLSKA GOLA
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            As I said in my post form over ranking however a team ranked #4 in the world are not ‚piss poor’

  2. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Stones and Walker are frauds. Gomez and Trent are better players. Facts.

    1. POLSKA GOLA
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      A TAA and Gomez should play imho

    2. Conor1
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Both should play in the 3rd place game. Trent IMO will be first choice RB soon and Gomez is the future at centre back if he can stay injury free.

  3. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Don't think it's coming home...

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Depends where you live

    2. POLSKA GOLA
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      It is, Portugal are playing at home 😉

    3. Andy'81
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      It's nowhere near Euro 96 levels of hurt but it's another semi defeat in the bag unfortunately.

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Italia 90 was the worst

    4. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Women's World Cup coming up. It's coming home 😉

  4. POLSKA GOLA
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    TAA and Gomez should be playing. Southgate oit of his depth, need to manage egos amd play the winners

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Nonsense. I’m sure he is well aware of their talents but Trent is Young, learning and knackered, Gomez has hardly played

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        TAA will replace Walker sooner rather than later, starting on Sunday

      2. POLSKA GOLA
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Well in that case if theem two are so crap I guess you were lucky to lose just 3:1 😉

      3. Peter Ouch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Trent is Young?
        I hope not Ashley

      4. POLSKA GOLA
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Southgate was right not playing TAA and Gomez in the semi final. It was more important to finish on a high wih a win in the 3rd place dead rubber than to risk losing the final 😉

  5. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Portugal vs Holland could be tasty on Sunday. When the met in the World cup quarter finals in 2006 there was just the 4 red cards and 14 yellows shown in that game, still a record for cards at a FIFA tournament.

    1. Lovren an elevator
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Amazing game. Good knowledge

    2. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      1-0 winner by Maniche great game.

    3. FPL Notebook (John)
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Looking forward to it

  6. Lovren an elevator
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    3rd/4th play-off to be as dull as dish water

  7. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Congratulations to Netherlands.

    On a sour note, it's quite embarrassing how some England fans behaved ahead of the game. It's possible to enjoy football without being abusive and violent.

    1. Babit1967
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      It’s just standard English fans abroad though, you don’t see the Scottish, Welsh and Irish fans acting like eejits when away supporting their team, everytime England play you would expect trouble.

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        True, but to be fair you rarely see Scotland, Ireland and Wales away in any big games where this might be a problem.

        1. Babit1967
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Not the point though is it, the fans of those clubs are always well behaved, England support just can’t help themselves though, shame for the fans who behave themselves mind.

          1. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            It is the point though. If the likes of Scotland don't qualify for these big games then they're not going to have trouble. You can't have trouble if you're not there.

            1. Babit1967
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 9 months ago

              Scottish fans win lose or draw will always have a laugh without acting like knuckle heads, you and I both know that

              1. Epic Fail
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                4 years, 9 months ago

                I've definitely seen Scottish hooligans, and so have you.

                1. Babit1967
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 9 months ago

                  Yeah that’s just rangers fans but they also support England. Musta been them causing the bother haha

                1. Epic Fail
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  4 years, 9 months ago

                  I think that's just normal Glasgow on a Friday night.

              2. GREEN IS GOOD
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 9 months ago

                Then what about the increasing violence at Scottish league games? Or is that scotch mist?

    2. Ci Siamo
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Yes, it’s very disappointing.

  8. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    I honestly think England should try implement Lallana back into this team

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      England’s midfield is their weak link not sure how Lallana would approve things. They could do with a Gerard or Lampard.

      1. POLSKA GOLA
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        It hurts to say this as and Arsenal fan but Harry Winks perhaps?

  9. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    People genuinely believe Stones will cement a first team spot in the city team at any point 😆

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      He never has so why would it change now.

    2. POLSKA GOLA
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Football is a strange game run by fine margins. Had that Lingard goal stood people will be raving about Stones’ composure in starting that attack by playing from the back. Instead he’s blamed for a the loss. I’d prefer Gomez and Trent for England but maybe for Pep Stones will become the right option. England don’t have strong central midfield and for that reason should be using the flanks more. It works different for City

  10. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Any one doing ICC Fantasy cricket would be interested in your view this team for round 3 - and use of chips?

    M S Dhoni, Carey
    Warner, Kohli, Finch, Root (vc)
    Stokes (c)
    Boult, Henry, Rashid Khan, Archer

    Chips
    Super Fours chip - India v Australia
    Bowling Machine - New Zealand v Afghanistan
    Star Skipper- Stokes in England v Bangladesh game.

  11. Ziyech on the Bench
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Any prices released yet?

    1. GUNNERINHO
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Not yet. Fixtures released first on 13th June.

  12. Scratch
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    BBC headline: "Gareth Southgate will not abandon style despite errors"

    Sorry but what style? Getting their customary penalty and then playing like a bottom table PL side defending the lead for over 45 minutes on their own 25 yard line.

    New expansive England indeed 😉