Nov 12, 2009, 9:20 GMT
Lisbon - The way the media has been portraying the protracted dispute between Real Madrid and the Portuguese football federation (FPF), one would think that there is nothing else to Portuguese football than Cristiano Ronaldo.
The availability - or non-availability - of the World Footballer of the Year for this weekend's World Cup play-off game against Bosnia -Herzegovina has been dominating the sporting headlines.
Real Madrid had said Ronaldo would not be able to play, Portugal had called him up and insisted he travel to Portugal.
On Wednesday, finally, the matter was settled when the FPF issued a statement saying that, following a medical examination by a Portuguese doctor, Ronaldo had been ruled out of the match in Lisbon, as well as the return leg on November 18.
'The player is not in good enough physical condition to train with the squad ahead of the play-offs,' the statement said.
Ronaldo was quoted as saying: 'It's really frustrating not to be able to help Portugal, particularly at such a key moment like the play-off against Bosnia.
'I'll go to the stadium to support my team-mates. I'm sure that the quality of our football will surmount everything and afterwards I'll be in the locker room to celebrate the first of two steps towards the World Cup.'
Luckily - notwithstanding what many reports seemed to imply - there is more to the Portuguese side than just Ronaldo and they go into the two-legged tie as clear favourites and even Bosnian coach Miroslav Blazevic said after the draw that he had been keen to avoid them.
'We'll have to fight to the end in both matches. It'll be a huge spectacle though, that's for sure. Both teams are well known for their flowing football.'
Much of Bosnian hopes lie with striker Edin Dzeko, who has scored an astonishing 14 goals in 21 internationals.
The VfL Wolfsburg striker is aware that it is a huge task, telling FIFA.com that Portugal start as favourites. 'They have a great team and a huge amount of experience, although that doesn't mean we don't stand a chance. There are two games, and we'll give it everything.
'If we can come away from their place with a decent result, anything's possible.'
Dzeko is aware that his side, who lost their final group game 5-2 at home to Spain, will have to be strong in defence to stand a chance.
'It's vital we tighten up at the back. The entire team has to work hard in defence. At the other end, we're always good for a goal.'
Dzeko, who was instrumental in last year helping Wolfsburg win their first German championship, said that, provided they achieve a result in Lisbon, they could pull off a shock upset in Zenica in the return leg.
'It's almost unbelievable how much we're looking forward to the tie, because we could achieve something incredible, and that's what we intend to do.'
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