It all comes down to this. The final of Euro 2016 sees the hosts France take on Portugal in what is sure to be an enthralling encounter where the stakes could not be higher.
Looking at the two sides, there is no shortage of superstars on display. Some of world football’s most promising young talents in William Carvalho, Samuel Umtiti, Kingsley Coman, Raphael Guerreiro, Anthony Martial and Renato Sanches all feature, having played important roles in their team’s recent success. They will all look to further establish themselves on the international stage, in the process either justifying or creating hefty price-tags for themselves at club level.
Accompanying these young-guns are some global powerhouses, no greater than three-time Ballon D’or winner Cristiano Ronaldo and France’s superstar tipped to be up for the accolade in the near future, Paul Pogba. Not to add the man who is now the shoe-in for the golden boot at the tournament: French marksman Antoine Griezmann, who has been in career-best form this season for Atletico Madrid.
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There is no doubting the stamp that these world-class players will put on such a showpiece event. However, some of their fellow squad members, who do not capture all of the headlines, are just as crucial in their nation’s chances of taking home the trophy.
Here are two players who will be underrated, yet essential components of the France and Portugal sides that face off at the Stade de France this weekend.
France – Bacary Sagna
One of three who have played every minute for Les Blues at Euro 2016, the Manchester City right-back has proved to be a vital cog of his country’s well-oiled engine. In the lead up to the tournament, it was widely speculated that the French may well be exploited defensively, especially in the fullback areas. The injuries to a number of potential squad members left the onus in this position almost entirely on the shoulders of the 33-year-old Sagna and 35-year-old Patrice Evra.
However, these veterans have held solid whenever called upon so far. Sagna in particular, a bit-part player in Manchester under Manuel Pellegrini last season, has never been the kind of player who catches one’s eye. But in such a star-studded French team, the former Arsenal man consistently wins his individual battles in defence, and additionally proves to be a handy outlet with his overlapping runs and crosses in attack.
If France are to defeat Portugal Bacary Sagna must be at his best. The constant threat of Cristiano Ronaldo will be somewhat on his radar for the majority of the match. Although the Real Madrid star plays what is said to be a striker role, he still tends to drift wide into his natural left-wing position. This contest is one to definitely keep an eye on.
Portugal – Luis Nani
For an attack that is seen by many to comprise purely of Cristiano Ronaldo, many underestimate the impact that his strike partner Luis Nani has had at Euro 2016. The man who has recently transferred to Spanish outfit Valencia has provided the same amount of goals for the tournament as his highly-fancied teammate, with three, as well as chipping in with an assist. He also threaded a stunning pass to set up Ronaldo’s shot that was eventually tapped in by Ricardo Quaresma to dramatically knock out Croatia in the Round of 16.
Nani has been a hard worker throughout the tournament, playing over 80 minutes in every match, injecting flair and pace as an alternate option to Ronaldo when A Selecao attack. He will be key in pressuring a French back-line that has not been consistently breached so far, as Portugal ultimately aim to be the first team to decisively destruct this solid resistance.
Whether it is by making a direct impact on the game himself such as finding the back-of-the-net, setting up one of his teammates, or just threatening the French backline – by making runs to divert attention away from his teammates – Luis Nani is someone who must be at the top of their game if Portugal are to go one better than their last European Final in 2004.
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