Before the final against Serbia, Portugal must do their homework in Ireland on Thursday. But against the “Boys in Green “ Cristiano Ronaldo & Co are on yellow alert.
On Sunday, Portugal have the final match against Serbia at home in front of them – no more and no less than direct World Cup qualification is at stake. Before that, however, the Seleçao must do their homework in Ireland, and the Iberians need at least a point on the Emerald Isle if they do not want to worsen their starting position for the duel with Serbia. They are currently second in Group A, one point behind the Serbians, but the Iberians have played one game less and have the better goal difference.
So the handbrake is not likely to be on in Ireland, where the “Boys in Green “ have always been driven to peak performance by the vociferous crowd. And yet many Portuguese will have to pull themselves together if they do not want to miss the showdown in Lisbon.
Sextet in danger
Cristiano Ronaldo, with 115 international goals the most successful national striker in the history of football, is not affected, the 36-year-old does not start the game with a yellow card. But six of his team-mates are. Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias (both Manchester City), José Fonte, Renato Sanches (both Lille), Joao Palhinha (Sporting) and Diogo Jota (Liverpool) would all be suspended if they received another caution.
Especially with regard to the defence, the “yellow danger” could still become a serious problem for national coach Fernando Santos. However, the absence of midfielder Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) could also be problematic, the 27-year-old is questionable for the match in Dublin with muscle problems.
