Portugal Football Formation

Lineup (4-3-3)

PORTUGAL 4-3-3 Attack (26 player WC Squad 2022)
▪︎D.Jota injured missing World Cup (otherwise starts LW)
▪︎Otavio gets callup in Jota's absence for RW or MF sub
▪︎B.Silva needs to be more central in midfield to playmake effectively instead of pushed up to the front and out to the side of the wing. He'll interchange with others of course but he'll have more freedom with his starting position in the center and not the corner.
▪︎I like the physicality and presence R.Sanches brings to our midfield while still being skillful (youth, acceleration, power) offense + defense minded other team has to acknowledge his presence. His concentration is always higher with National Team than club level and he's not afraid to challenge opponents as he's hungry to be successful for Portugal.
▪︎We need Bruno in the team but I think he can be less exposed/frustrated further up the pitch. We may not necessarily need runs from the RW with R.Leao running on the LW with N.Mendes. R.Sanches pushes tempo in midfield while B.Silva maintains possesion with ball control skills. And Cancelo pushes up the Right to combine with B.Silva like usual. This frees Bruno to pick his moments more to be second Striker in the right side of box by Ronaldo or to feed the open man in the middle (Ronaldo, R.Leao or runners) from the right edge of box.
▪︎I want to start R.Neves as he's proving to be an asset on offense to maintain possesion in the middle of the pitch and switch play. A holding midfielder with good ball control and skill and can pick out a pass or switch play quickly or take the odd long shot to test the keeper. He is a solid two way player not afraid to play defense but he is undersized in his position when playing deeper as a CDM and not muscular or strong enough to make up for this. He'd have to rely on his intelligence and skill rather than athleticism and brawn. This makes me nervous without playing one of D.Pereira / W.Carvalho / J.Palhinha beside him. R.Neves is a solid Moutinho replacement but is most likely a blessing on offense and a liability on defense @CDM (worthy of starting but more useful to the team off the bench).
▪︎Felix and Guedes Super Subs off bench
▪︎Alternate starting 11: Start B.Fernandes over R.Sanches at LAM next to B.Silva and one of G.Guedes/Otavio/J.Felix at RW. Then, R.Sanches would be an impact sub in the midfield. G.Guedes for running in behind; Otavio for playmaking and crossing; J.Felix for dribbling skill moves and drawing defenders in to free someone else up.
▪︎R.Neves moved to bench for D.Pereira in at starting CDM. Then Pepe reclaims his starting position at CB alongside R.Dias. We lock up the midfield with more Athleticism, power and pace but get Slower in the back Defense. Pepe brings experience and quality CB defending and organization but is vulnerable to being run past. Pros and Cons.