PARIS — Cristiano Ronaldo will not be the only No. 7 hoping to redeem himself when his Portugal side meet Austria in their Euro 2016 Group F match Saturday.
Ronaldo’s less heralded opposite number for Austria, Marko Arnautovic, also came into the tournament with high hopes only to start with a below-par display made worse by a sulky attitude.
Ronaldo missed a late chance, repeatedly wasted free kicks, protested to the referee and then made some unsporting comments about the opposition after Porutgal drew 1-1 against rank outsiders Iceland.
Arnautovic fared little better in Austria’s 2-0 defeat by Hungary, losing heart as he was effectively marked out of the game.
He went to ground far too easily, moaned at the match officials and his body language bore the hallmarks of a man who felt the world was against him.
Arnautovic’s temperament has often threatened to override his talent, with his career marked by some bizarre episodes.
He famously borrowed a Bentley belonging to teammate Samuel Eto’o at Inter Milan, only to have it stolen while he was eating at a restaurant.
During a stint at Werder Bremen, he was pulled over for speeding in the early hours of the morning on the day of the game and he once injured his knee playing with his dog.
But Austria coach Marcel Koller and his club coach Mark Hughes at Stoke City have between them managed to tame a man who was compared to a child by Jose Mourinho at Inter.
History on Belgium’s side
Having, in the words of its coach Marc Wilmots, “lost a battle but not the war” Belgium presents arms again for Saturday’s encounter with Ireland on what it considers to be home territory of Bordeaux.
The Red Devils have set up camp for the Euro 2016 campaign just outside the city, using the training headquarters of Girondins Bordeaux, the club for whom Wilmots once played.
He has come under unfriendly fire there following the 2-0 defeat by Italy in the opening group match but insisted this week there would be no change of an attacking philosophy based around the talents of players such as Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.
Unfortunately, the latter pair were badly out of sorts against the Italians, while defensive fallibility was evident, too, in the absence from the tournament of the injured Vincent Kompany and Nic Lombaerts.
De Bruyne and Hazard were both given extra time off this week after suffering minor knocks but are expected to be fit. Some Belgian critics would prefer to see their roles reversed, however, with Hazard playing as the No. 10 behind the main striker and De Bruyne out wide.
For however much or little it counts, Belgium has history on their side in not having lost to the Irish for 50 years.
If the Belgians are regarding this as a home fixture, however, they will be shaken by the strength in numbers of the Irish.
Green “army” or not, Ireland’s traditionally friendly followers are more likely to take on the opposition in a sing-song than a fight. They have already been named the best supporters by one French social media site and tear gas should not be required.
Hungary hopes to
extend hot streak
Two of the surprise teams of the opening round of matches at Euro 2016 meet Saturday when Iceland faces Hungary in Group F.
Iceland came from behind to draw its first game in the tournament 1-1 with section favorite Portugal, while the Hungarians secured a convincing 2-0 victory over Austria.
Hungary, twice World Cup runner-up and playing in the European Championship finals for the first time since 1972 when it reached the semis, has won its last five games against Iceland.
“You can see how they (Hungary) are progressing as a squad and a team,” Iceland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson told reporters. “They are a really compact and solid team.”
Iceland is playing in its first major tournament and it will not be distracted from its preparations by any thought of celebrating the country’s Independence Day Friday. — Agencie
