Jorge Jesus: 'Ronaldo is a closed chapter'

Speaking roughly an hour and a half before Portugal's clash with Denmark on Thursday, national team manager Jorge Jesus previewed the match. Asked whether he would have done anything differently regarding Cristiano Ronaldo, the coach insisted that the matter is "closed" for now.

"Today is matchday. I want to focus on the game. After this, we head to the Dragão and focus on the match [against Norway on Sunday]. We'll certainly have time to discuss it later. Right now, it's a closed chapter," he stated.

After naming his starting line-up (Diogo Costa; João Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; Rúben Neves; Pedro Neto, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes; Gonçalo Ramos, Rafael Leão), the manager explained the changes. "In my experience, going into a third match is much tougher on players who started the previous two. Especially forwards; it's easier for defenders because their game is more positional. We brought in four fresh players. Rafael Leão is very strong in one-on-ones. Denmark playing a centre-back at right-back means he won't have to track back as much, which plays directly to his strengths. Félix hasn't recovered 100%. I could have taken a gamble, but then I wouldn't have him available for the Dragão," he explained.

Asked whether this match would be decisive in securing Portugal a spot in the Nations League quarter-finals, Jesus added: "It's three points if we win. It doesn't guarantee anything."