BotN: Portugal lull Germany into real sense of security
Sunday 10 June 2012 10:00
The Back of the Net comedy collective run the rule over Germany's 1-0 win over Portugal
Germany started their Euro 2012 campaign with a clinical 1-0 win over Portugal, whose slipshod passing and lack of a cutting edge successfully lulled the Germans into a very real sense of security.
Perhaps mindful of the Netherlands’ slip-up against Denmark earlier in the evening, both sides started cautiously. Germany spent the early stages keeping possession and occasionally probing the Portuguese defence, while Portugal went out of their way to make the Germans feel confident that they’d ultimately stroll to victory without overextending themselves.
For Portugal’s important ‘rubbish striker’ role, coach Paulo Bento selected Helder Postiga, whose trademark scurrying uselessness soothed the 2008 finalists into a thoroughly understandable complacency.
“They were so wasteful in attack that our players switched off for long periods,” admitted German coach Joachim Löw. “Gomez didn’t do much until his goal, Lahm was invisible, and frankly I forgot Podolski was playing.”
“Not that it mattered. In fact, it’s probably good we got some rest in the second half.”
Portugal were not helped by a disappointing performance from Cristiano Ronaldo, who looked to be burdened down by the weight of expectations, or possibly by his metric tonne of hairgel.
“We’d prepared to face a dangerous, incisive Ronaldo, a player who can change the course of a game with a single moment of genius,” Löw continued. “But after he spent forty-five minutes with his hands on his hips looking flouncily narked, we relaxed and forgot about him.”
“Apparently that’s exactly what they wanted us to do. God knows why, though. He was dreadful.”
Ronaldo and company will have to do better in their next game, against Denmark on Tuesday. Reports suggest that Portugal will look to float like a butterfly, and sting like a carpet moth.
Editor's note: this isn't a serious accusation and all quotes are fictionalised. But you knew that, because you're not stupid.
More from Back of the Net
During the Euros, Back of the Net will tweet live during the match.
Follow the commentary at http://twitter.com/backofthenetFFT