“Quite Jean-Michel”: the chronicle of our consultant Jean-Michel Larqué.
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1.
Portugal struggled at least as much as Spain the day before, but ended up doing well against Hungary at the very end of the match, stacking 3 goals. A simple heat stroke or a big blow of fatigue?
Since you give me both options, I take them both! In front of their home crowd and above all a full stadium which almost gives a weird feeling, Hungary showed that they were responsive. And so, yes, Portugal was hot, especially on the Magyar goal canceled 0-0 ten minutes from time. But despite the three bursts of goals, the same Portugal seemed dull to me, starting with Cristiano Ronaldo who, like his season at Juve, showed that he no longer had his 20-year-old legs. Certainly, he scored a double in 5 minutes, but on all of his performance that he saved thanks to his job, I still found him a little sluggish. The expatriates of the Premier League, Bernardo Silva in the lead, also seemed to me in the red. Could the eternal tune about the frantic pace of the English season be played to us to an air of fado? I’m afraid because if they ended up winning largely, the Portuguese still hit the red of the gauge. They were in their image: we had buried them so many times during Euro 2016 and yet they ended up winning. I will therefore not risk a peremptory and final judgment about them, on this first match.
2.
Is Switzerland and its aging generation in the Balkans capable of a last stand in this Euro? Starting by shaking up Italy?
I don’t really believe it! The tactical mutation of Italy, with high pressing contrasting with the secular low block of yesteryear, will prevent the creatives of the Nati from expressing themselves. When I think that as you call it, the Swiss generation of the Balkans (Shaqiri, Seferovic, Xhaka, Mehmedi, Gavranovic) carried so many promises out of the age categories! Broken promises and Swiss stars are slowly but inevitably slipping towards an area where their age becomes inversely proportional to their potential. It’s easy to say it, but what inspires me now Switzerland is simple: it is not about a neutral team which does not emit anything; absolutely nothing. Neither sympathy nor antipathy. She will probably qualify by the back door, among the best third, but without striking imaginations. It will be in his image: smooth.
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