Portugal XI to take on Lithuania
Portugal’s eleven to take on Lithuania in tonight’s clash in Vilnius has now been revealed.
Portugal have travelled to Lithuania in their fourth qualifying match of the campaign, looking to build on their impressive 4-2 victory over Serbia in Belgrade last Saturday.
As a result of that match, Portugal know that they simply have to beat Lithuania and Luxembourg home and away to confirm their place in the Euro 2020 finals next summer.
With victory crucial in tonight’s match, Fernando Santos has selected another strong lineup despite Lithuania being relative minnows in European football, making just three changes to the starting lineup against Serbia.
In between the sticks, Rui Patricio maintains his place in the starting lineup, Portugal’s most capped goalkeeper in history extending his record further.
In front of him, Joao Cancelo comes in for the injured Nelson Semedo at right back, with Raphael Guerreiro maintaining his place in the side on the opposite side of the back four.
In the heart of defence, Santos has elected for the two players who started against Serbia, with Jose Fonte and Ruben Dias starting yet again for Portugal, the former starting in the place of the injured Pepe.
In midfield, Wolves’ Ruben Neves starts in the place of Danilo Pereira, who did not have the best of games against Serbia at the weekend. William Carvalho, who is integral to Santos’ plans, starts alongside him.
Bernardo Silva then starts likely on the right of midfield, with Bruno Fernandes starting alongside him, expected to function on the left side of a 4-4-2 formation.
Up front, Cristiano Ronaldo is partnered by young starlet Joao Felix, the partnership that many Portugal fans have been calling out for up front.
Portugal XI: Rui Patricio - Joao Cancelo, Jose Fonte, Ruben Dias, Raphael Guerreiro - Ruben Neves, William Carvalho, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes - Joao Felix, Cristiano Ronaldo.
