Jorge Jesus refused to let the controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo overshadow Portugal’s 4-2 win over Denmark, insisting his players remain firmly behind his ideas.
Ronaldo left the Portugal camp on Wednesday after Jesus confirmed the 41-year-old would start on the bench for a second successive match. His departure dominated the build-up to Friday’s Nations League Group A4 clash in Copenhagen.
Portugal, however, responded with a convincing performance to maintain their perfect record under Jesus.
Asked after the match whether he would welcome Ronaldo back, Jesus avoided the issue and pointed instead to his team’s display.
“A high-quality victory, with four goals, a top-level performance. It can’t be overlooked. It’s more important than everything that happened,” Jesus told Sport TV.
“That’s what I want to focus on. Returning to Portugal, the people will fight at the Dragao stadium.”
Jesus also backed the unity of his squad after questions about whether the players remained behind him.
“There’s nothing that should stop the group from being with me,” Jesus said.
“I understand the question. The important thing is what we have to do. The things that happen don’t separate the group; they haven’t separated us and they won’t separate us.”
Goncalo Ramos, who replaced Ronaldo in the starting XI for the second consecutive match, played a key role. He set up Joao Cancelo for Portugal’s opener before scoring their second goal.
Vitinha then restored Portugal’s lead with a header from Bruno Fernandes’s cross before Joao Felix completed the scoring.
Jesus, who took charge after Roberto Martinez’s departure following Portugal’s World Cup exit, has now won all three of his Nations League matches.
“I have a squad that believes in my vision,” he told RTP. “With so much individual quality, things come more easily. They’re right behind me and my ideas.”
Ramos said Jesus had given Portugal “clearer ideas”, while Vitinha called the performance their best under the new coach.
“We played an excellent game,” Vitinha said. “Beyond the win, the content of our game was great. I think it was our best display so far.”
Vitinha also echoed Jesus when asked about Ronaldo’s absence.
“We tried to focus just on the game. I think we gave an incredible response. Congratulations to the whole squad for that.”
Jesus had said before kick-off that he would not discuss the details of Ronaldo’s departure until the international window ends.
Portugal return to action against Norway in Porto on Sunday.
