Ronaldo scare for France’s title bid

Euro 2016 would be remembered as a tournament, where long standing records were shattered. Germany’s first win over Italy in a major tournament, France winning over Germany to break their losing streak and the list goes on. Going by it, can Cristiano Ronaldo etch his name in the annals of football history as the best footballer of his generation, by beating France – a feat the Portuguese haven’t managed since 1975? The Euro 2016 final, nevertheless promises to be an exciting affair. It cannot be as entertaining as France vs Germany semifinal, considering the defensive style of play of both the teams, but the very presence of stars like Ronaldo, Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann will make it an intriguing contest. Ronaldo goal exploits in the tournament tied him up with Michel Platini as the top scorer of the Euros and he will look to score against France. Despite boasting of exciting players like Renato Sanches, Joao Mario and Nani, the Portuguese played passive defensive football in the run up to the final. Coach Fernando Santos’ 4-4-2 diamond formation has proved successful and it is unlikely that they will change the system. They have brilliantly shut down the passing lines against Wales and will look to take inspiration from the semifinal performance. The return of defensive midfielder William Carvalho from suspension will be a massive boost to the Portuguese and he will be tasked with the duty of marking Griezmann. However, defender Pepe’s fitness is a concern and latest reports suggest that he will be doubtful for the final. Meanwhile, France has everything play for in the final, as it would be played in the stadium, where explosion took place in November, 2015. The scarring memories of the Paris explosions are still haunting the nation and a Euro cup win will be something that can be savoured to tide over horrific experience. Shifting from 4-3-3 to 4-3-2-1 and playing Griezmann in the hole was a tactical master stroke from Coach Didier Deschamps. They looked brilliant on the counter and Giezmann was nothing short of sensational in his previous three outings. However, he will face a tough challenge against Portuguese, who will look to man mark him. Pogba, who was much talked about in the run up to the tournament has not performed to his billing. The midfielder, who is coveted by both Manchester United and Real Madrid, was below par in his performances and will look to make impact when it matters – in the final. Both, France and Portugal play similar brand of football, dig deep defend and break on the counter. It would be an interesting contest as who will hold their nerves. France is the favourite, but Ronaldo has the penchant of playing Villain for the opposition and it remains to be seen whether he can do it at the bigger stage.

Will the wales juggernaut reach the final!

Wales have scripted history in Euro 2016 by reaching the semifinal. Will wales take one more step forward and make it to the final ? Its not just a battle between Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo. There's more to the tie than that with inspiring performances from both sides. Ashley Williams has played like a man possessed and Aron Ramsey has been in inspired form. In the Portuguese team the young Renato sanches has proved why Bayern Munich spent 80 Million euros to land him with maturity beyond his years and both Nani and Ricardo Quaresma have shined after years of under achievement. Ronaldo has drawn some criticism from his own team mates but has come to portugal's rescue in group stages and theres every chance he will come back and haunt Wales in his best form and answers the critics in the best way he always does.

Considering Ramsey is suspended for the semifinal Wales could consider a different formation and look to play a 3-5-2 instead of a 3-4-2-1 with bale playing slightly off the main striker Han robson kanu. The free role could mean bale can run riot agasinst the ageing Ricardo Carvalho and Real madrid team mate Pepe. Wales could look to crowd the midfield and stop the supplies to portuguese forwards who usually play in a 4-3-3 and the portuguese could improvise and switch to a 4-4-2 considering wales are without one of their forward players ramsey. On the other hand portugal will look to start the game with 18 year old Renato sanches and stop the passing game of wales with william carvalho and  Joao moutinho playing a key role in midfield and Valencia ace andre gomes could be deployed in a more defensive minded role to mark gareth bale on the wings. All in all i dont see this game being controlled by any one team. Portugal a few years ago were a far superior side than wales and still have recognized players plying their trade in some of the best clubs in europe but an ageing squad and the nothing to loose attitude and confidence that wales will display is what they will be up against and the prospect of not just playing a major tournament but actually reaching the final will be a big bonus for wales and they will have the mental edge over experienced campaigners portugal. I think this ficture will go down to the wire and will only be decided on penalties.

Prediction 1-1 (wales win on penalties)

Will there be another upset ?

Iceland have caused the Upset of the tournament by beating england in the round of 16. Will they add another feather in their cap by beating france ? We will have to wait and see until tomorrow. Iceland have not lost a game at Euro 2016 and they earned a draw against Portugal and an inspired Hungary and won against Austria in the last minute. The people of Iceland are supporting their team so much that they have run out of Replica shirts. If Aron Gunnarsson and his men beat France that will be a disaster for the home team. France have their fair share of  problems with Ngolo Kante and Adil Rami both suspended for the game and their main striker Olivier Giroud hasnt found the net since France's first game in the tournament. This could mean a change in formation and players for france. Considering Griezzman seems to be hitting some form hes likely to play the False 9 and Deschamps will look to replace Kante with PSGs Blaise matuidi. Pogba will play alongside matuidi in midfield and may be Yohan cabaye will return to the starting line up. Girouds scoring troubles could mean Manchester Uniteds Anthony Martial may get a game against iceland along side Dmitri Payet and Antoine griezman in the france forward line. Alternatively Deschamps could choose to start with the prolific Lacazatte as his main striker and line up griezman and payet along side him.

Iceland had 6 different scorers in the tournament and this will mean the new barcelona defender Samuel Umiti and Arsenal's Laurent koscielny have to be on  their tows. Attacking full backs are an asset to france and could create problems for the Icelandic defense. Bayern youngster Kingsley coman is another tricky customer iceland will have to handle. Iceland may not have world class players valued at 80 Million pounds like Pogba and griezzman but they have nothing to loose and can play with confidence. If iceland manages to score the first goal its game on and it will be very difficult for france win the game. However, i think france are too strong and having more creative players on the pitch in cabaye and martial will help them just overpower iceland and progress to the semifinals

Prediction : 2-1 to france.

Clash of the titans

The World champions Germany, have never won against Italy in major tournaments since 1962. This would be playing on the minds of the Germans, who would be looking to settle score against the Azzuri. The Die Mannschaft lived up to their billing as the tournament favourites and hasn’t conceded a goal in the past four games. They even stepped up an ante against Slovakia in their 3-0 win in the Round of 16 and will look for a repeat performance. However, their defence is barely tested in the previous games. It was largely down to the midfield duo of Sami Khedira and Toni Kroos, who controlled the tempo of the game. The Italians, who will defend deep and attack on the counter, will pose a different threat all together for the Germans. The team has no injury woes and left back Jonas Hector, who was out with cold is expected to be fit for the fixture. The side has no notable weakness except for the fact that their attacking players Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller haven’t performed to their billing. The Italians were brilliant in the tournament and produced master class against Belgium and Spain. Antonio Conte’s defensive 3-5-2 formation worked wonders for the Italians as they were not only solid in defense but fabulous on the counter-attack. Juventus’ defensive trio of Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonnuci and Andrea Barzagli were unbeatable at back and they have an additional insurance between the sticks - Gianluigi Buffon. Graziano Pelle and Eder are complementing each other well at front. But the concerns for the Italians lie in the midfield. Holdings midfielders Daniele De Rossi, Thiago Motta are injured, suspended and Conte doesn’t have like-to-like replacements in the squad. In all likelihood he would start Stefano Sturaro, who would partner Marco Parolo and Emanuele Giaccherini. Conte was spot on with his tactics against Spain but the Germans too are strong on counter and remains to be seen, what changes he would bring to his side. Though German’s remain favourites on paper, Coach Joachim Low has task cut out as his side would look to settle the score against Italians, which would undoubtedly increase the pressure on them. The match will go down to the wire.