The statements by Jorge Jesus, Portuguese selector, to the microphones of RTP Notícias, after Portugal's defeat, this Saturday, at the reception to Denmark (1-4), in Braga, for the group phase of the League of Nations.
© Reuters
14/11/2026
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News to Minutes
What happened? “ The explanation is that we were not as strong a team collectively as in Denmark in defensive terms. We were a team that could not stop the offensive game of Denmark, especially in the second part. The first time we had a penalti goal. The second time I thought the team might be better off and looking for better, you couldn't. Denmark managed to stop us with a lot of direct marking, with very strong pressing on our players. Today the second advance failed to play between the lines. We could not gain advantage in the central runner, where Denmark had the advantage, with players arriving in the last line with space and surprised with two crossings, two goals.”
What lessons do you draw? “The game of Cardiff passed, in case today we have guaranteed the certainty of the first, we can play with other players. Now we're out of Palhinha and Reuben Dias... The important thing is that we have the clearance for the final rooms.”
Cancelo and Nuno Mendes miss it? “ It was all the time in the four games, always with them both. But they weren't here, other new players came in. The fact that you lost a game has to understand that when you lose, we all lose. There were some one-off mistakes but they are errors that were more collective than individual ones. We need to start thinking about the next game in Wales.”
Leave it? “ When one loses is never good, it always messes with the player's emotional problem. It was a team that came in super confident, with four consecutive wins. Today you have to give Denmark credit. He did not let play and managed to be better than us when he had a ball.”
Tribute to Ronaldo: “ Deserved for everything you did in the selection and for Portugal.”