Reigning UEFA Nations League champions Portugal travel to Copenhagen to face Denmark at Parken Stadium on Thursday in Group A4 matchday three. Portugal lead the group with six points after a 1-0 win over Wales and a 2-1 away victory in Norway.
Portugal coach Jorge Jesus left Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench in the last game and did not bring him on, raising questions over the 41-year-old striker's involvement. However, even as Ronaldo's minutes are managed, Portugal have other attacking options, with Goncalo Ramos stepping up and Joao Felix proving reliable.
Denmark also boast quality players such as Rasmus Hojlund, Gustav Isaksen, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. They sit second-bottom with three points after a 3-2 loss to Norway and a 2-0 win over Wales.
The last meeting between the sides was in March 2025 in the Nations League quarterfinal second leg, where Portugal thrashed Denmark 5-2. Trincao scored twice, Ronaldo and Ramos also netted, and Joachim Andersen scored an own goal. Rasmus Kristensen and Christian Eriksen scored for Denmark.
Denmark coach Brian Riemer on Ronaldo: "I think it's a bit absurd to be discussing [whether Portugal are better without] Cristiano Ronaldo. I believe that many people underestimate the importance he has in the Portuguese team. I even think that, the day he retires, Portugal will have a problem. There's something called hierarchy. There are many strong personalities in a team like Portugal. Who will make decisions and set the terms? It can be a big challenge. Definitely, you shouldn't underestimate Ronaldo's importance when he plays. Portugal's best team is with Ronaldo playing."
Portugal coach Jorge Jesus defended his decision not to bring on Ronaldo during the win over Norway: "I had even agreed with him that he would come on in the last half hour, but the match did not require it. Goncalo Ramos was playing well. He had scored a goal and had another one ruled out. I felt it was not the right moment to substitute him. It was not to protect him physically, because he was in the condition to play as long as I wanted. The match followed its course, and it stopped being the opportune moment to bring on Cris. Instead, another player was necessary to guarantee balance and the result."
Denmark's left winger Patrick Dorgu injured his hamstring in the first half of the last game and has returned to Manchester United. Denmark will also be without attacking midfielder Albert Gronbaek, who is out for a few weeks with a thigh injury. Portugal's influential midfielder Bruno Fernandes is sidelined with physical discomfort.
Probable Denmark XI: Filip Jorgensen; Rasmus Kristensen, Joachim Andersen, Oliver Provstgaard, Joakim Maehle; Morten Hjulmand, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg; Gustav Isaksen, Mikkel Damsgaard, Patrick Dorgu; Rasmus Hojlund. Probable Portugal XI: Diogo Costa; Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; Ruben Neves, Vitinha; Rafael Leao, Joao Felix, Bernardo Silva; Goncalo Ramos.
Source: www.aljazeera.com