Ivory Coast v Portugal: match preview

Group G
Ivory Coast v Portugal
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: Tuesday June 15, 3pm BST

Arguably the game of the group stages, with the two teams seemingly vying for second spot behind Brazil clashing head-on. Both have the ability to progress, yet one is likely to be eliminated.

Will it be revenge for Sven-Goran Eriksson, the Ivory Coast coach, whose hopes with England at Germany 2006 and Euro 2004 were extinguished by the Portuguese? Much rests on Didier Drogba’s fitness.


Touchline duel

Sven-Goran Eriksson v Carlos Queiroz: Two hugely familiar faces to English observers, but both coaches have built their reputations as cautious tacticians.

Eriksson, the former England and Manchester City manager, replaced Valid Halihodzic in March, inheriting one of the most respected teams in Africa, yet having failed to deliver with England’s ‘golden generation’ can he now achieve the feat with Ivory Coast’s star-studded squad?

Queiroz, the former Manchester United assistant manager, has been heavily criticised in the Portuguese media following the country’s unconvincing qualifying campaign.

Talking tactics

Will Eriksson be able to impose his safety-first tactics on Ivory Coast or will he simply allow his players to stick with their natural attacking style?

Having been in charge for just three months, it is impossible to gauge Eriksson’s approach, but Queiroz will expect the Swede to revert to type.

Portugal, strong defensively, have an obvious ace card in the form of Cristiano Ronaldo, but can the Real Madrid forward carry a team that most neutrals suspect peaked in Germany four years ago?

Key clash

Emmanuel Eboue v Cristiano Ronaldo: Ronaldo could play anywhere across the front three for Portugal, but he could be most lethal when he tears down the left flank before cutting in to shoot at goal.

Eboue, whose rash defending at Arsenal has often led to problems, will face a tough task shackling the former Manchester United forward. And his inclination to concede fouls could be extremely costly if Ronaldo discovers a way of mastering the flight of the controversial Jabulani ball at set-pieces.

What they say

Kolo Toure: "The Ivorian squad is made up of some world class players but football remains a team game

"And since Sven-Goran Eriksson took over the squad, he has been trying to build a proper team and we are on track."

Ronaldo: "Goals are like ketchup. When it comes out (of the bottle) it all comes out at once.

"But I am not worried about not scoring in the qualifiers. I am just plugging away as usual. I want to turn in a great tournament and be the best. I will strive for that. My ambition has always been to be the best."

Previous meetings: None

Fact: Portugal are not scoring freely; in the qualifiers only Simao (4) and Nani (3) scored more than twice – and the latter is out.
Prediction: With Didier Drogba the Ivorians would be a threat; without him this could be an easy win for the Portuguese

Team details (probable)

Ivory Coast (4-4-2): Barry; Eboue, K Toure, Bamba, Tiene; Romaric, Zokora, Y Toure, Tiote; Kalou, Doumbia.
Portugal (4-3-3): Eduardo; Ferreira, Alves, Carvalho, Coentrao; Mendes, Meireles, Deco; Ronaldo, Simao, Liedson.
Referee: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay).