Chris Burton reflects on a Portuguese performance lacking in technical creativity.
Chris Burton reflects on a Portuguese performance lacking in technical creativity.
When the team sheets filtered through prior to kick-off and a certain No. 7 was only included among the substitutes I had hoped that I may be able to get away without mentioning Mr. Ronaldo. No such luck.
An insipid contest between a side already guaranteed top spot in Group A and one already resigned to watching the rest of the tournament from the comfort of their sofa was crying out for the individual brilliance of this summer's main attraction.
Luiz Felipe Scolari is no mug and, in the same situation, I would not have risked the wing wizard, but the game was all the worse for his absence.
Ronaldo's understudy at Manchester United, Nani, along with Porto's enigmatic playmaker Ricardo Quaresma were supposed to take the show pony mantle in Basel, but failed to stake a purposeful claim to their illustrious team-mates' crown.
Nani has unquestionable talent, but his penchant for the theatrical can at times leave you wondering what he could achieve if he stayed on his feet from time to time.
The youngster also missed his country's best chance of the game, dragging a tame effort onto the outside of the post went put clean through on goal just eight minutes into the second half.
Whether he is included in a potential last eight contest with Germany remains to be seen, while there will also be question marks over the continued inclusion of Quaresma.
A man capable of the sublime and the ridiculous in equal measure lacks the all-conquering presence of Ronaldo and the calming influence of Deco, and should expect to retreat back into the shadows after fluffing his lines during a rare international audition.
Patience
He is not alone in his flattery to deceive, and another who must be pushing Scolari's patience, an unfortunate situation considering he is also about to become his club boss, is Paulo Ferreira.
Quite why the Chelsea man has been continually deployed at left-back throughout Euro 2008 remains a mystery, especially as he has looked increasingly out of his depth.
He lasted 41 minutes this time around, but still had enough time to earn a needless caution and be tied up in knots by the impressive Lazio winger Valon Behrami.
His place at Stamford Bridge must be under serious threat, although his potential nemesis in West London, Jose Bosingwa, remained benched throughout the Swiss contest.
With no other Portuguese players currently plying their trade on these shores it was left to the Premier League 'stars' of past, and perhaps future, to display their worth.
Former Tottenham misfit Helder Postiga appears to have progressed little since his forgettable spell at White Hart Lane, while Manchester United target Miguel Veloso hinted that he has the capabilities to be a success in English football.
For Switzerland, who appeared to thrive in an environment devoid of expectation, Hakan Yakin's double, including an unstoppable spot-kick, proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Jakob Kuhn's men were good value for their victory, with commanding performances all over the park.
Patrick Muller, Ludovic Magnin, Gokhan Inler and the aforementioned Behrami deserve special praise for their composed displays, while the English-based duo let no-one down.
Potential
Manchester City's Gelson Fernandes has looked assured throughout his first taste of major international competition and has the potential to become a fine all round midfielder.
His reading of the game allows him to break up opposition possession with alarming regularity, while a cool head on his young shoulders ensures that he is never flustered or found wanting when the boots are flying in the middle of the park.
While much was expected of Gelson heading into the European Championship, and his displays have only served to confirm what many already knew, British supporters must have wondered which side of Philippe Senderos' Jekyll and Hyde personality would be on show in his own backyard this summer.
To be fair to the much-maligned Arsenal centre-half he looks far more composed in the red of his country than he does in that of the Gunners and he was rarely troubled by a toothless Portuguese front line.
His distribution is at times questionable to say the least, but he will always guarantee 100 per cent effort.
He should return to the Emirates Stadium next season in buoyant mood, while the same cannot be said of his club team-mate Johan Djourou.
The versatile defender was restricted to nothing more than a spectator role throughout the tournament, doing little to help him catch the eye of domestic employers already reluctant to hand him regular first-team football.
Djourou will undoubtedly have hoped for more of an involvement, while Liverpool supporters are no wiser as to what Philipp Degen will bring to Anfield next season as the full-back is another who must be wondering why he bothered turning up.
A 2-0 scoreline ensures that Switzerland bow out with their heads held high, while Portugal can comfort themselves with the knowledge that they have a £75million talent ready to waltz back into last eight action.
