Euro2024. Three doubts and 20 certainties in a list that can still be expanded

Analyzing the players used in the perfect qualification (10 games, 10 wins) for Euro2024, Roberto Martínez appears to have 20 untouchables and three places still open for the final phase of this year’s European Championship. The definitive list, to be announced on May 20th, could include either João Neves or Matheus Nunes, or the absence of Diogo Jota (injured at this time). The final list usually consists of 23 footballers (three goalkeepers and 20 field players), but can be expanded. The coaches will meet on April 8th and propose to UEFA the extension to 24, 25 or 26.

And if there are any conclusions that the first two preparatory games for the European Championship – triumph over Sweden (5-2) and defeat against Slovenia (2-0) – showed Roberto Martínez, it is that the list can even be stretched and give- you have more options, but the base has been built and there are 20 unavoidable names. Starting in goal, where Diogo Costa is number 1 and Rui Patrício and José Sá are the only valid alternatives, with the coach never calling on Anthony Lopes, who was in two Europeans and two World Cups as Patrício’s substitute.

Defense will be the sector with the most choices, taking into account that Roberto Martínez wants six options for the central axis. Pepe is an unknown and a certainty at the same time. Despite being 41 years old, if he reaches the end of the season well, he will have a place guaranteed, leaving only three places for three central defenders (Rúben Dias, António Silva and Gonçalo Inácio) plus two players who can fill the position (Danilo and Palhinha). Only in case someone gets injured or becomes unavailable will Toti Gomes enter the equation. The coach likes the commitment and versatility of the Wolverhampton center back, but he was not at all satisfied with his performance against Slovenia.

And as he intends to use the versatility of the full-backs, who can play both inside and outside, on the left or right side (mainly João Cancelo and Diogo Dalot), the coach seems convinced to take Nuno Mendes and Raphäel Guerreiro to the left side. Nélson Semedo had a great game against the Swedes, but for now he’s out of line.

The midfield is where the biggest doubts are. Apart from the only totalist in qualifying, Bruno Fernandes, and maestro Bernardo Silva, the most used midfielder in the qualifying phase was João Palhinha (530 minutes spread over six games, plus 90 minutes against Sweden), who has a guaranteed place on the list. Otávio and Rúben Neves were used in more matches than the Fulham midfielder, but they spent fewer minutes on the field and with less exuberance. One of them may even be sacrificed.

Vitinha was used in the same six matches as Palhinha and was on the field for a third of the time. Going to the European Championship is a certainty for the PSG midfielder. In doubt are João Neves (41 minutes in five games) and Matheus Nunes (63 minutes, against Sweden), who, although they were in the last squad, only entered sporadically. And if it’s based on personal performance (and collective performance too), the Manchester City midfielder would take the spot.

In attack, everything seems simpler… or not. The doubt about Diogo Jota’s recovery could confuse the selector’s accounts. If the striker returns within the allotted time and plays two or three games for Liverpool, he wins the place. Without Jota, options Ricardo Horta and Pedro Neto (both injured at this time and, therefore, outside the list of 32 for Portugal’s double commitment, with Sweden and Slovenia) start ahead of Dany Mota (called up at the last minute for this last stage). Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Leão, João Félix and Gonçalo Ramos have a guaranteed place, barring any force majeure.

Comparing the first call-up with the last in qualifying, separated by almost eight months, Martínez changed five internationals, having used only 26 athletes in qualifying – little taking into account that he started from a list of 200 players, as he himself confided before making his debut for the selection, in March last year.

The renovation was also smooth. Of the 26 players he called up in November to seal qualification, 21 were at Mundial2022. The final list will be announced in May and the next two teams (Croatia and Rep. Ireland) are already in June with those elected for Euro2024, which will be played in Germany between June 14th and July 14th.

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