Eamon Dunphy column: Letting Cristiano Ronaldo do what he wants will cost Portugal

When Giovanni Trapattoni was Ireland manager, he was fond of talking of Greece. To him, it was the best example of how a national team could surprise everyone at a major tournament.

In 2004, Greece caused a major shock when they went all the way to become European champions. They thrived because of their unity, organisation, defensive discipline and the manner in which they made the most of counter-attacks and set-pieces.

There have been a few surprise packages at these Euros in Germany, and some of them have ticked the same boxes.

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Does that mean we will have shock champions again like Greece 20 years ago? I wouldn’t rule it out but I have a hunch that France will play themselves into form and be the team to beat.

So far, France have scored just three goals in four games — one from the penalty spot and two own goals.

They are not alone in being off-colour. Italy were the first big name to exit. Belgium went out pretty tamely in the last 16.

England have some genuinely world class players but, bar a few minutes here and there, haven’t clicked at all.

I do think that fatigue is a factor — mental and physical tiredness. The big name players are all involved in big club games — sometimes twice a week when you factor in European exertions.

New competitions seem to be coming on stream year after year, but players’ bodies and minds are still the same. They’re expected to just get on with it.

I’ve watched the likes of Georgia, Austria, Slovenia, Turkey and Albania and they’ve played with more freedom than the supposed European giants.

We’d often hear Ireland players say in interviews that playing for their country is their equivalent of the Champions League. I think that applies to the surprise packets at these Euros. There are a few star names in their ranks but, generally, they’re calling on journeymen at journeymen clubs.

But this is the biggest stage of their lives and they’re playing as if they want to make the most of every second.

From an Irish point of view, what I’ve watched worries me, worries me greatly. Even these supposedly lesser teams look way better than Ireland.

The new manager will have a massive job on his hands.

We’re getting ready for the quarter-finals now and the most eagerly-awaited game is that between Germany and Spain.

Fabian Ruiz central midfield of Spain and Paris Saint-Germain celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between Spain and Georgia at Cologne Stadium on June 30, 2024
(Image: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

This could well be the game of the tournament. There are some youthful and raw players, albeit talented, on the Spain team, which makes Rodri particularly important.

Some Manchester City players don’t shine when out of Pep Guardiola’s reach, but Rodri certainly does. He is a huge player in the middle of the field for Spain, knitting the team together.

Nico Williams is someone Germany will have to watch very closely but I think Alvaro Morata is a blunt instrument up front. He needs too many chances to score.

As hosts, Germany do have an advantage and Jamal Musiala gives them a dimension they didn’t have for a long time. They are strong in every line of the field. Playing with confidence, at a high tempo, and with organisation.

I think Germany will go through in what I hope will be an epic.

Also tomorrow, Cristiano Ronaldo will be taking on France. Or it will probably feel that way...

Roberto Martinez, in my opinion, must be the weakest manager at these Euros — why on earth is he indulging Ronaldo to a ludicrous degree?

He has taken 60 direct free-kicks at major tournaments and scored just once. Why isn’t he taken off them?

Anthony Barry is the former Ireland coach who’s highly rated as a set-piece specialist. He’s with Portugal now. Has he got anything to say about Ronaldo taking all the frees?

It’s not as if Portugal don’t have other players who can strike a dead ball, they have plenty.

Indulging Ronaldo in game after game, and for the duration, means Diogo Jota is kicking his heels on the bench too. Plenty consider him to be the best finisher at Liverpool.

Portugal are going to pay a price for Ronaldo doing what he wants.

France haven’t pulled up any trees but they give very few chances away and are very hard to beat. They look to Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe for goals and for the creation of chances.

They haven’t really clicked into gear yet but France have been down this road before. Didier Deschamps is well versed in what it takes to make the most of the knockout stages of tournaments.

I think his team will have far too much for Ronaldo, I mean Portugal.

Based on form, there can only be one winner in the England game on Saturday — Switzerland.

The Swiss are strong and talented and very much a team. England are the opposite — a collection of individuals.

England manager Gareth Southgate acknowledges the fans after the team's victory and progression to the quarter final in the UEFA EURO 2024
(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Image)

Bar two minutes, England were awful in their last game. Slovenia sat back but I don’t think the Swiss will do that. That will help England’s better players as they may have space on the break.

But Gareth Southgate has messed up by not building a proper team.

I think this game will turn into a dog-fight and I can’t back England with any confidence. Switzerland to advance.

As for the last of the quarter-finals, it’s a very hard game to call. The Netherlands haven’t done anything to convince me they’re a real force. I don’t rate Memphis Depay at all and he is supposed to be their main attacking threat.

All being equal, I’d fancy a talented and game Turkey team but I think the win over Austria will have taken a lot out of them. They will likely find it hard to raise their performance to that level so quickly.

The Dutch have an edge in experience and that should be enough.

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