Portugese defence goes walkabout

We’re behind you. The Portuguese defence goes missing for Mirosalav Klose to nod in Germany’s second goal in Basel last night. More questions than answers, not least why an ostensibly solid defence in the Premiership with only a swapping of John Terry for Pepe can go dream about on the big stage? Can a team dedicated to flair and attack sustain the momentum across six games in a tournament? Will southern Mediterranean style always be vulnerable against the hard pragmatic physical approach of the northern European countries? Is Cristian Ronaldo really injured or just not able to step up a gear on the bigger stages? In fact is Alex Ferguson the only manager who can coax mercurial performances out of his show pony week after week? Is Portugal’s defeat an inevitable outcome for soccer romantics? And what of big Felipe Scolari? Much is made of his World Cup win in Japan and South Korea. But he had two advantages – playing in Asia meant there was no home advantage for a European or a South American team. And he had a forward line that read: Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho. Much is made of his tactical nous but against the severe question from Michael Ballack he had no answers last night. He may be able to handle stars, but maybe it is down to the stars to do it on the pitch.

As to the Germans, they appear to have a secret formula for tournament play that allows them to get stronger match to match. They could still be vulnerable to a Turkey or a second defeat by Croatia, but the runes say they have learned their lesson and won the match that mattered. Again. The smelting of the new champions and the ore of soccer history this year will be cast in the other group. Which team has the stuff of champions is still wide open, but Germany are back to 3.40 favourites this morning.

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