Oh Look! We have news!
As we grow closer to the friendly at hand, we get more and more lovely news. As always, I'm excited to be the one providing the group with the gossip, the news, and sometimes the random.
- If you can't win, then get rid of people. Though there aren't too many big omissions from the last call up squad there are changes. Jose Bosingwa was left out this time and so was Quim who will either be replaced with Eduardo or Daniel Fernandes. Other changes include a missing Simão and also Ricardo Carvalho who are both out injured. Brandao will compete for a place with Paulo Ferreira on the left and Simão's injury has opened a possible spot for Duda but of course this will not come easy as Nani is also competing for the other wing while Cristiano has already secured his spot.
- 20-year-old Orlando Sa is excited about playing with the big boys. The young Braga striker impressed with his hat-trick in a U21 match against Spain last year. Mostly he wants everyone to know that he's not nervous but confident in his ability. He says that he feels confident and also welcomed and accepted already. He also expressed a little admiration for the current squad, “I’m alongside the cream of my country. I’m going to try to take advantage of my chance."
- Finally in younger Portuguese NT news, The U21 team is gearing up to face Switzerland tomorrow. Coach Rui Caçador hopes that his team will shine tomorrow. The team's last match against Spain in November ended positively with a 4-1 win thanks to a hat-trick from Orlando Sa who is making his debut for Portugal's senior team Wednesday. “Against Spain we took a lot of risks, just as we did against Ukraine, the only difference is that everything went well against Spain. Now we will see what will happen, but this will be a good test to see what we can do well defensively."
- Whether you follow the U21's or not for those who follow Liga Sagres will notice some of the younger faces taking part. Some of my favorites: Hugo Ventura (FC Porto), Adrien Silva, Bruno Pereirinha, Daniel Carrico, & Rui Patricio (Sporting) are all part of the squad that were called up for duty.