​Jesus: "No One Forgets Ronaldo's Contribution; Whether He Attends the Tribute Is Up to Him"

November 14 – In the UEFA Nations League A, Portugal will host Denmark. Ahead of the match, Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus attended the pre-match press conference.

Good afternoon, Coach Jesus. Before tomorrow's match, a tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo will be held. Was this arrangement not initiated by the coaching staff and the team captain? How do you view this tribute? Also, do you hope Ronaldo will be present in person for the ceremony before tomorrow's game against Denmark?

Jorge Jesus: Good evening, everyone. First of all, let me clarify that this arrangement did not come from the coaching staff. The decision lies with the Portuguese Football Federation, specifically its competitions department and the president. In my opinion, it's a wonderful idea. No one can forget Ronaldo's 23 years of service to the Portuguese national team, everything he has done for Portuguese football, and the footballing legacy he has written at multiple clubs.

I worked with Ronaldo not for a week, but for a full year, so I know his stature and the enormous influence he has on young players and children around the world. We should remember that he is a legend of Portuguese football. As for whether he will come, that is up to him.

Let's talk about the match. There are only two group games left, and one more point secures qualification. The Denmark coach has also admitted Portugal are favourites. How do you see this clash? Will you give young players a chance? Will any newcomers provide a surprise?

Jorge Jesus: The goal is the same as every match — to win. If we win, we essentially secure top spot in the group. Denmark are not easy opponents; no two matches are the same. When we played away in Denmark, they produced a high-quality performance. Their players are physically strong, and they put a lot of pressure on you from set pieces. Tomorrow will be different.

It's normal that Portugal are considered favourites. If we finish first, Denmark will battle Norway for the second qualifying spot. But this match will be very difficult — Denmark have several players performing at top European clubs.

Good evening, coach. With Ronaldo gone, there's a vacancy up front. What do you make of Gustavo Varela, who has been in excellent form this season? And what about Borussia Dortmund's Fábio Silva, who often plays as a supporting striker? Do you see him as a second striker in the mould of João Félix?

Jorge Jesus: The two players have different characteristics. Varela is a proper No. 9, closer in style to Gonçalo Ramos. Fábio Silva is more mobile, capable of driving the attack on his own, and often plays as a second striker at Dortmund. That's why I called him up for my first squad — his qualities complement those of Ronaldo and Gonçalo Ramos. Both are still adapting to the national team, and the coaches at Dortmund and Monza naturally know them better than I do. Varela is currently among the top scorers in Serie A, one of Europe's top five leagues. I trust them; this Portugal team has both quality and fighting spirit.

In the last match against Denmark, Damsgaard and others repeatedly dropped deep, pulling Rúben Dias and Renato Veiga out of position and creating space in behind — Denmark's second goal came from exactly that pattern. How do you plan to limit them tomorrow? Will you use a deeper-lying midfielder to cover the space left when the centre-backs push up, or stick with the high press and accept the risk in behind?

Jorge Jesus: That's a very professional, coach's-eye question. The Danish coach has already studied how we defend, especially our centre-backs. Our defenders push up and drop off when necessary; we know the risks and rely on teammates to cover. They study us, and we have also anticipated their tactical choices. It's a tactical battle and will be fascinating to watch.

João Neves hasn't played much so far. Can he fill in as a winger or an inverted winger, or does he simply have to wait for an opportunity in midfield?

Jorge Jesus: He didn't play against Wales, featured against Norway, and has come off the bench several times since. He can play multiple positions — he even played right-back in the previous Nations League campaign. Coaches love players with that versatility; it's the direction modern football is heading.

Source: YouTube