Bellamy praises Ronaldo and sees Jorge Jesus as an answer for Portugal

“ O your name will be in history for hundreds and hundreds of years. This is the impact he had”, said Craig Bellamy on the captain of the Portuguese team, also highlighting the capacity of the 41-year-old Portuguese advanced to continue to the highest level, on the eve of the League of Nations meeting at the José Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon.

The Welsh technician admitted that Portugal will be a different team from the one under Roberto Martínez, being impressed with the work of Jorge Jesus, who considered “an incredible coach”.

“ I think it's the right choice for Portugal. I think it works. I think you have an amazing squad. And I feel that what he can offer is exactly what this Portuguese team needs and, in my opinion, is probably what the players want”, he said.

Bellamy expects, however, a Portugal still in the process of adapting to the new coach: “[I hope] tomorrow [Thursday] is just a period of adaptation, in which only trying to understand each other”.

On the Welsh side, the former Liverpool player recognized the impact of the various absences, in a summons marked by injuries, but refused to dramatize the situation.

“ Perhaps we can find another Harry Wilson after these next three or four games,” he said, arguing that casualties make room for other players, confirming that the goalkeeper Karl Darlow will not be available due to “a swelling” in the knee.

The Welsh coach also said he expected a high-intensity game and admitted that Wales will have to manage the efforts in a sequence of four matches in 11 days.

“This is like the Champions League. This is the highest intensity”, he said, recognizing that it will be difficult for his team to have possession of ball in front of Portugal, ensuring that he will “try to control the rhythm of the game” and that “the best way to defend is with the ball”.

On the other hand, Welsh captain Ben Davies said he was looking forward to the game on Thursday, considering Portugal as a “full of talent” team and one of the “best in Europe”.

“ It's gonna be a tough game, but we're looking forward to it. We did a job as a team. We have to make sure we're together. We look forward to facing this challenge”, said the Welsh captain.

For Tottenham’s defense, League of Nations games “represent an extra challenge” for the British team.

“ We don't have a very large squad, but it's very exciting. We will face high-level opponent”, he maintained, remembering that team, last year, was in League B of the League of Nations.

Ben Davies, who adds 100 internationalizations in Wales, also said that the Portuguese captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, “is one of the best players of the mute and will be a great challenge to face it”.

Wales and Portugal meet again on Thursday, in Lisbon, 10 years after the Euro2016 half-final, in what will be only the second official confrontation between the two selections.

The only official duel between the two teams took place on July 6, 2016, in Lyon, with Portugal winning by 2-0, with goals from Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo. The triumph placed the Portuguese national team in the Euro2016 final, which would win four days later, against France. Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player of that meeting who remains active in international football.

Before the 2016 meeting, Portugal and Wales had faced only three times in private, with two Portuguese victories and one Welsh. The first took place in 1949 at Jamor (3–2), followed by a 2–1 defeat at Cardiff in 1951, and a new Portuguese 3-0 triumph at Chaves in 2000.

The League of Nations Group 4 game is scheduled for the José Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon at 7:45 pm, and will be arbitrated by Lithuanian Donatas Rumsas, 37 years old.

After Portugal, Wales faces Denmark in Copenhagen on 27 September, it welcomes Norway on 1 October, again playing with Denmark on 4 October in Wales, and closes the group stage against Norway in Oslo on 14 November, and Portugal on 17 November in Cardiff.