Denmark-Portugal: Focus is needed after ‘bomb’ Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal comes on stage in a time of crisis, with a duel against Denmark marking the third day of the League of Nations group phase this Thursday in Copenhagen, the day after the sudden abandonment of Cristiano Ronaldo from the stage of national selection.

Still, the competition does not stop and the set of Jorge Jesus wants to win for the third consecutive time in the race of which he is champion in title, to keep the full of victories.

However, Denmark will not want to facilitate the task of the team of quinas, as it lost the first round against Norway and wants to match the Portuguese in points in League A group 4 of the League of Nations.

Portugal has a significant advantage in direct confrontation, with 12 triumphs in 18 matches, although the last four Danish solo visits resulted in two losses for the Portuguese.

The last time they faced each other was even in this competition, after the Scandinavian victory in the first hand of the final quarter of the League of Nations for 1-0, there ended up a round after an extension, by 5-2, for Portugal to move forward towards the four final, which ended up winning in 2025.

Denmark-Portugal has an initial whistle scheduled for 7:45 p.m. (Mainland Portugal time) at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, and will count on the arbitration of Ukrainian Mykola Balakin, who will have Oleksandr Berkut and Viktor Matyash as fourth referee Klym Zabroda, as VAR Stuart Attwell and as AVAR Viktor Kopievskyi.

Coaches in direct speech

Brian Riemer

Differences between Denmark and Portugal: “There is a difference between being Portugal’s selector, which has two world stars in each position, and Denmark, where we still have many players with much to learn in the selection.”

‘Fire test’: “It’s a unique opportunity to be tested against one of the best selections. We want to make progress and therefore the test against Portugal is good for us. We're very excited. We will face a world-class team that we have even won for some time.”

Before the stage exit announcement..: “[Christian Ronaldo] Changed his way of playing over time and, to me, is a huge icon. We will be making a big mistake if we underestimate it.”

Jorge Jesus

Purpose in the League of Nations: “For me, the most important thing is the purpose of what we came here to do here in Denmark. Respect for the adversary, the mission of continuing to conquer the League of Nations. I have 23 players, not just one and they can ask questions about any of them. As for Ronaldo, one question is little. Three is too much. I only let you ask two questions about Ronaldo. Ronaldo is not the main subject of my being here. The main thing is Denmark and I am the national selector.”

Promise to Cristiano Ronaldo: “I can promise whatever I want. I'm a coach. This is too confusing for your head. I'm the coach. I told the player I wasn't supposed to play. I'm taking you to the bank. If I need you for 30 minutes, you're gonna play, otherwise you're not gonna play. No player will ever change my mind. Not him or anyone in football. Or any president. Never, zero!”

Absence of Tuesday's training: “He did not refuse to train. He didn't train Francisco Conceição, who was injured, Felix, because we tried to unload the fatigue and we'll see tomorrow. And Cris did gym work. He mobilized in the field and then did reinforcement work for the hotel. He didn't say no. He's going to practice today. It's day four, so go practice. And he didn't refuse to train. It's impossible. You think? It's not Cris. Do you think a player in a national team refuses to train? He's not from Portugal. From another selection. Only if you want to leave and have other ideas. No one refuses to train.”

Last results

Denmark: V-D-V-E-E

Portugal: V-V-E-V-D

Last elevens

Denmark: Filip Jorgensen, Rasmus Kristensen, Joachim Andersen, Oliver Provstgaard, Joakim Maehle, Morten Hjulmand, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Gustav Isaksen, Mikkel Damsgaard, Patrick Dorgu, Rasmus Hojlund.

Portugal: Diogo Costa, João Cancelo, Renato Veiga, Reuben Dias, Nuno Mendes, João Palhinha, Francisco Conceição, João Neves, Pedro Neto, João Félix, Gonçalo Ramos.

Absence

DenmarkAlexander Bah, Victor Bak Jensen.

Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo (out of internship) and Francisco Conceição (injury).