Four key questions that will determine Euro 2016 final

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    Sport360’s deputy editor James Piercy looks at the key questions for both France and Portugal that could potentially define the outcome of Sunday’s Euro 2016 showpiece.

    Who do you think will emerge victorious from the Euro 2016 final and what are your predictions for the outcome of the game?

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    CAN FRANCE DRAW PORTUGAL OUT OF THEIR SHELL?

    After underwhelming performances against Iceland, Austria and Hungary, when they controlled possession with 70 per cent, 57.7 per cent and 62.3 per cent respectively, Fernando Santos’ Portugal seem to have settled on a formula.

    That is, to cede the ball while maintaining a rigid and deep defensive line, restricting any space behind them and then use the pace and drive of Nani, Cristiano Ronaldo and now Renato Sanches.

    You can argue they were fortunate against Croatia and Poland, with both matches lasting 120 minutes, but ultimately they conceded just five shots on target in 240 minutes, while against Wales it required some inspiration from Ronaldo, just as the plan requires.

    Santos is unlikely to change it come the final, especially with such a fast-paced and vibrant French attack. But if Les Bleus want to win, they have to force Portugal’s hand.

    Because of their midfield diamond, any consistent width Portugal have in possession comes from full-backs Raphael Guerreiro and Cedric, so France must exploit the space in behind as well as trying to get Dimitri Payet and Antoine Griezmann isolating and running at Pepe and Jose Fonte.

    Santos will look to slow the French down – expect tactical fouls – meaning the hosts will have to keep the foot on the accelerator.

    HAS EITHER DEFENCE BEEN PROPERLY TESTED?

    Both sides emerged from the two most manageable groups in the tournament.

    France barely needed to get out of third gear, albeit relying on late goals to overcome the obdurate defences of Romania and Albania – which could prove good preparation for the final – while Portugal were unconvincing with three draws.

    That inability to win inside 90 minutes continued into the knockouts before breaking their duck against Wales.

    What connects five of those six – Hungary the exception – was their reluctance to commit too many forward for fear of Portugal’s counter attacking.

    Consequently, a central defence lacking in pace hasn’t really faced the attacking play they should encounter tonight; with Griezmann and Payet’s movement, Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi breaking from deep and Olivier Giroud’s aerial presence.

    The French, up to the semi-final enjoyed a relatively stress-free journey with Republic of Ireland and Iceland, whose strengths don’t lie in the final third.

    But when they did play Germany it was against an out-of-form Thomas Muller and a midfield full of passers, but no penetration.

    WINNING THE BATTLE IN THE AIR

    France have scored four goals from set-pieces and Portugal two and while Ronaldo may stand over every single free-kick within range before finding the centre of the wall, corners and free-kicks could prove integral to deciding this final.

    Payet’s delivery has been fantastic and in 6ft4ins Giroud, 6ft3ins Pogba and 6ft2ins Moussa Sissoko, he has three obvious targets.

    Portugal aren’t quite as tall in a defensive sense – with Pepe and Fonte conceding a few inches to France’s aerial threats – meaning they’ll have to get the individual match-ups spot on.

    Attacking wise, the 6ft 1ins Ronaldo more than makes up for that marginal disadvantage with his tremendous leap.

    There are few in world football who can compete, especially when he’s running onto the ball, so Laurent Koscielny and Samuel Umtiti will have to be at their athletic best.

    BENCH STRENGTH

    Ricardo Quaresma has proved Santos’ go-to guy, with the five of this six appearances as a substitute, while, such is their midfield depth, Danilo, Joao Mario, Adrien Silva, Joao Moutinho and Andre Gomes have been virtually interchangeable depending on their form.

    Andre Pierre-Gignac has been France’s most-used replacement, coming off the bench four times, but he’s a like-for-like for Giroud, once he’s run out of steam.

    Their real trump cards are Kingsley Coman and the up-to-now underused Anthony Martial. Both are young, quick, tricky and awkward to defend who could make a huge impact in the closing stages of the game, should Didier Deschamps turn to them.

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