Bosnia & Herzegovina vs. Portugal: 5 Things We Learned from Euro 2012 Playoff

Bosnia and Herzegovina held Portugal to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their Euro 2012 qualifying playoff last night.

Both sides had chances, but there's no doubt Portugal were the dominant force and will be strongly fancied to progress in Lisbon on Tuesday night.

To do so, Paulo Bento's team will need to show a more clinical touch in front of goal, however. They'll also need to guard against Bosnia's threat on the break.

Here are five things we learned.

Portugal's biggest threat, unsurprisingly, came from the flanks last night—where Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo did their best to combat the difficult playing surface.

When the teams reconvene on Tuesday, on what will likely be a slick and immaculate pitch, Bosnia will need to focus on stopping the pair.

Substitute Vedad Ibisevic had a great chance to snatch victory for Bosnia at the death last night.

The home side cut through Portugal all too easily, and illustrated the defensive frailties that have been evident during their qualifying campaign.

The way Bosnia played in their final group game against France in Paris should demonstrate they won't be overawed in Lisbon.

Coach Safet Susic should welcome back a couple of suspended players for the second leg, and in Edin Dzeko he has a world-class striker ready to pounce.

When these two teams met in a qualifying play-off for World Cup 2010, both games finished 1-0 to Portugal.

On the evidence of last night's encounter, we're in for another close fight in Lisbon. Both coaches will be wary of conceding first—and with nerves to the fore, I wouldn't be surprised if a single goal seals it.

Paulo Bento's Portugal have been far from convincing in qualifying, but ultimately their quality and big-match experience should see them through.

They'll carry a huge weight of expectancy into the game, and the secret to victory may well be patience against a stubborn opponent. I think they'll edge it 1-0 in Lisbon.