Ahead of their quarter-final clash in Marseille on Thursday, Portugal and Poland UAE-based fans give their verdict on the game.
To gain an insight into the mindset of the fans we asked UAE fans to share with us their predictions, likely line-ups and players to watch.
Do you agree or have they missed the mark? Use #360Fans to share with us your thoughts.
POLAND – Mark Kar (Development Director, Dubai)
Poland engineered a great escape against Switzerland, whose wave after wave of attacks in the last 25 minutes of the match were repelled as we defended incredibly. We held on for a penalty shootout and thanks to Granit Xhaka’s misfired spot-kick, we were through!
This Poland team is one of real cohesion and belief. Xherdan Shaqiri’s outrageous overhead kick (there was a reason I picked him as my Swiss player to watch in the last preview!) is the only goal Poland have conceded all tournament. There has of course been a lot of talk about Robert Lewandowski struggling for goals but it doesn’t seem to be a distraction for the team as they continue to progress.
Portugal are a very dangerous side and although they have failed to set Euro 2016 alight, they have still managed to reach the quarter-finals and offer plenty going forward – notably from a certain Cristiano Ronaldo. Our failure to score more than a single goal is a worry but confidence is high and the fact that our last three matches against the Portuguese have been draws should give us plenty of hope of making the semi-finals.
PREDCITION: Portugal 1-2 Poland (after extra time)
LIKELY POLAND XI: Fabianski; Piszczek, Glik, Pazdan, Jedrzejczyk; Blaszczykowski, Krychowiak, Maczynski, Grosicki; Milik, Lewandowski
POLAND PLAYER TO WATCH: Arek Milik – The Ajax striker has shown glimpses of his talent at Euro 2016 but with Lewandowski struggling this is a real opportunity to show how talented and deadly a forward he can be.
PORTUGAL PLAYER TO WATCH: Nani – With Poland likely to copy the tactics of other teams and put more than one man on Cristiano Ronaldo to try to keep him quiet, Nani could find more space and time on the ball. He’s scored in two of Portugal’s four games so far and is a definite dangerman.
WHERE TO WATCH: Polish fans have not been able to get enough of Barasti and it will be the same again!
PORTUGAL – FRANCISCO ALVES (Architect, Dubai)
PREDICTION: Portugal 2 – 1 Poland
LIKELY PORTUGAL XI: Rui Patricio; Vieirinha, Pepe, Ricardo Carvalho, Eliseu; William Carvalho, Adrien, Renato Sanches; João Mário, Nani, Cristiano Ronaldo.
PORTUGAL PLAYER TO WATCH: Renato Sanches. He was man of the match against Croatia, which exemplified his growing importance to this Portugal side. Possesses that ability to produce a game-changing spark and with Ronaldo likely to again be closely shackled, Sanches has another chance to shine.
POLAND PLAYER TO FEAR: Robert Lewandowski – Like Cristiano Ronaldo, Poland’s most highly-rated player has been a bit of a passenger so far at Euro 2016, though at least Portugal’s captain has scored a couple of goals! Nonetheless, players of Lewandowski’s calibre tend to show up when needed the most and I’m sure he’ll be a real threat to our defence.
WHERE TO WATCH THE GAME: Barasti Beach Bar.
