Portugal travel to Slovenia this afternoon as preparations for the U21 European Championships come to a close. Rui Jorge’s side will have their final training session at Cidade do Futebol before flying to Ljubljana.

The 2021 edition of the tournament will be played in two parts in Hungary and Slovenia. The first is the group stages (24th to 31st March) followed by the knockout rounds (31 May to 6th June).

Portugal have been drawn in Group D alongside Croatia, England and Switzerland. They have to finish in the top two to guarantee a spot in the knockout stage.

PortuGOAL's Matthew Marshall has everything you need to know as the Esperanças aim to win the tournament for the first time.

The club season is nearing its climax, but the thoughts of many top footballers will already be on Euro 2020, with the delayed competition set to take place in the next few months. Therefore, form at this time of the season is crucial. A bad run, or worse still injury, can ruin your dreams of featuring, whilst a productive spell could see you play a part on the biggest stage.

For a country like Portugal, it’s complicated though. The strength in depth available to Fernando Santos means, in theory, he should have plenty of huge decisions to make. However, the experienced boss must feel a degree of loyalty to those that made history five years ago, and some big names pick themselves. So, the reality is that there are a lot of good players competing for a few positions.

But one man who seems increasingly deserving of a place in the squad in the eyes of the boss, judging by the latest callups by Santos, is Pedro Neto. 

U21 Euro squad also announced

Portugal coach Fernando Santos has announced a 25-man squad for Portugal’s first set of qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup, against Azerbaijan, Serbia and Luxembourg.

Sporting’s superb season is reflected in the debut callups of left wing-back Nuno Mendes and holding midfielder João Palhinha, while Arsenal right-back Cédric Soares is recalled after a long absence. Eintracht Frankfurt striker André Silva and Benfica winger Rafa Silva are also recalled. 

“Total Football” turns Portuguese

In less than four months, Portugal defend a major tournament crown for the very first time at this summer’s better-late-than-never Euro 2020. Notwithstanding its recent failed UEFA Nations League bid, a lesser-celebrated yet fascinating competition, Portugal’s emergence into unfamiliar territory carries an inherent psychological price tag never before encountered.

External and internal pressure the likes of which only those who have ever worn the grandeur of the name “Champion” will ever know.