Ronaldo to be centre of attention in Geneva

Last Updated 7th June 2008

Portugal get their Euro 2008 campaign underway against Turkey in Group A on Saturday night.

Luiz Felipe Scolari men are among the favourites to win the tournament in Austria and Switzerland and they will be hoping to go one better than Euro 2004 after losing in the final to Greece on home soil.

The Geneva tie will be the third meeting between the two countries in the European Championship with Portugal coming out on top in the two previous clashes.

Much of the pre-match focus will be centre around Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo as speculation over his future at Manchester United continues to rumble on.

Ronaldo, who will be hoping to enhance his chances of winning the World Player of the Year award with a good showing in Austria and Switzerland, is set to shake off a slight ankle knock to take his place in the starting XI.

Nuno Gomes is expected to start in attack following the retirement of Pauleta.

Chelsea new boy Jose Bosingwa is fit to start at right-back after recovering from a muscle strain meaning Miguel will start on the bench.

Scolari must decide who will partner Ricardo Carvalho in defence with Pepe and Bruno Alves battling to win the nod.

Turkey are waiting on the fitness of midfielder Hamit Altintop as he is struggling to shake off a muscle problem.

Middlesbrough striker Tuncay has recovered from a minor back problem to be fit for the game, but it is unsure if he will start the clash.

Villarreal forward Nihat Kahveci will lead the attack for Turkey with coach Fatih Terim still to decide who will partner the striker.

Newcastle midfielder Emre could start in midfield for Turkey despite struggling for fitness all season on Tyneside.