Ronaldo, Félix and Conceição miss Portugal training in Malmö two days before Denmark
The FPF says Ronaldo did specific gym work at the team hotel because the stadium lacked the equipment. Denmark v Portugal is Thursday at 19:45 Lisbon time at Parken, live on RTP1 and Sport TV 1.
Cristiano Ronaldo, João Félix and Francisco Conceição did not train with the group on Tuesday in Malmö, Sweden, two days before the game against Denmark. Portugal play in Copenhagen on Thursday at 19:45 Lisbon time, and the match page is on UEFA’s site.
Ronaldo walked out onto the pitch and stood by the substitutes’ bench before the session began, then went to the dressing room and back to the hotel. He did not appear in the 15 minutes open to the press. On Sunday he had spent all 90 minutes on the bench in Oslo and went straight to the dressing room at full time; Jesus said he would talk to him. The federation explained that the captain did specific work in the hotel gym, because the Malmö stadium did not have the equipment he needs. Félix did recovery work only. Conceição, who had already missed the recovery session, felt pain during Sunday’s game in Oslo and is being assessed daily by the medical staff.
A three-way doubt
None of the three is ruled in or out for Thursday. Félix is the one whose absence would sting most, because he scored against Norway when Portugal won 2-1 in Oslo with Ronaldo watching from the bench.
Jorge Jesus has six points banked and a good reason to take few risks: Portugal top Group A4, with Denmark and Norway on three.
Why the squad is in Sweden
The delegation is based in Malmö, about 40 kilometres from Copenhagen, and only moves to Parken on the eve of the match for Wednesday’s training. The game is on RTP1 and Sport TV 1. Madeira keeps Lisbon time and the Azores are an hour behind, at 18:45.
After Denmark comes Norway, at home on Sunday 4 October, and then, in November, Denmark at home on the 14th and Wales away on the 17th.
By Vasco Almada
Image: YantsImages / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
