Following a heavy defeat in the first leg, Portugal will be determined to bounce back and keep their UEFA Nations League hopes alive. With the team facing an uphill battle, fans are counting on Cristiano Ronaldo to lead the charge from the start.
Portugal aims to bounce back in the second leg of the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals after losing to Denmark in the first match. Rasmus Hojlund scored the decisive goal, sealing an impressive performance for the Danish side. Roberto Martinez’s team struggled to find its rhythm, and Cristiano Ronaldo managed only two shots on target. After the disappointing result, questions have emerged about whether Ronaldo will start in the upcoming game.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s status as a starter was uncertain, not because of his performance in the first leg, but due to limited recovery time before the second match. However, Cristiano quickly dismissed concerns about his fitness, assuring he will be ready to face Denmark in the crucial second leg. His exceptional physical conditioning has been a key factor in his sustained success throughout his illustrious career.
Although the Portuguese star stated he would not mind sitting out if it guaranteed his team’s victory, Cristiano Ronaldo is still expected to start when Portugal faces Denmark. His pivotal role as the squad’s offensive leader in this UEFA Nations League campaign makes him a likely inclusion in the lineup.
Despite a rocky start to the tournament, Portugal remains one of the top contenders for the title. The team’s well-balanced mix of seasoned veterans and promising young talent could be key to their championship aspirations.
Portugal claimed the UEFA Nations League title in the 2018-19 season under Fernando Santos. Now, Roberto Martinez faces the challenge of proving he can lead this ambitious project. Despite managing a squad filled with talent, Martinez is under pressure to deliver results. An early elimination against Denmark would add another setback to his coaching career, which includes just one major trophy so far.
Which could be the Portugal’s projected lineup against Denmark?
After Roberto Martinez’s side failed to secure a victory in the first leg, leaving his top scorer out of the starting lineup seems highly unlikely. As a result, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to feature from the start. Despite Portugal’s struggles to create offensive opportunities, Martinez may choose to stick with the same midfield in an effort to maintain control of possession.
Defensive side could be another story. Renato Veiga’s poor display in the previous match could prompt Martinez to make adjustments to his backline. With that potential change, Portugal’s projected lineup could be as follows: Diogo Costa; Diogo Dalot, Ruben Dias, Goncalo Inacio, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha; Bruno Fernandes; Pedro Neto, Rafael Leao; Cristiano Ronaldo.
from Bolavip US
