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Paulo Bento defends decision not to play Cristiano Ronaldo as striker

Paulo Bento defends his decision not to use Cristiano Ronaldo in a central attacking position during Portugal's World Cup campaign.

Portugal head coach Paulo Bento has insisted that he was right not to play Cristiano Ronaldo as a striker during the team's disappointing World Cup campaign.

There were calls for Ronaldo to be deployed in a central position throughout the group stages, but Bento claims that he has no regrets about his choice despite failing to secure a spot in the last 16.

"I never thought of Ronaldo as the spearhead. It was not on my mind to put Ronaldo as the only centre-forward since the beginning of the tournament," he told TV1.

"I think it's not the best for his goal tally and for the team. We talked about it, of course. He did not seem to feel comfortable in that position but it was not necessary for him to tell me that."

Ronaldo was forced to battle a knee problem during his time in Brazil as Portugal could only finish third, behind Germany and the USA, in Group G.

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Portugal's forward and captain Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the Group G football match between Portugal and Ghana at the Mane Garrincha National Stadium in Brasilia during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 26, 2014
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Friday, July 5
 
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Spain
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8pm
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Portugal
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France
Saturday, July 6
 
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Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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