Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Portugal could line up for Thursday’s Nations clash with Croatia.
After suffering a painful penalty-shootout defeat at Euro 2024, Portugal return to action on Thursday evening, when they welcome Croatia to Lisbon in the UEFA Nations League.
The Selecao will be seeking maximum points from this month’s home double-header – Scotland will arrive in Lisbon on Sunday – and Roberto Martinez has largely kept faith with the squad that reached the European Championship quarter-finals.
While 41-year-old defensive rock Pepe has finally hung up his boots, captain Cristiano Ronaldo remains, and the Al-Nassr striker is expected to hold off competition from Goncalo Ramos to lead the line at Estadio da Luz.
At the other end of the scale from his veteran skipper, Martinez has handed maiden call-ups to Geovany Quenda, Renato Veiga and Tiago Santos, the latter of whom could be in contention for a place at right-back after impressing for Lille.
Meanwhile, Lisbon-based duo Pedro Goncalves and Francisco Trincao join back-up goalkeeper Rui Silva in being recalled to the squad after missing out on selection for the Euros.
After a summer of confusion in the transfer market, Joao Cancelo and Francisco Conceicao are both left out, but Chelsea returnee Joao Felix made the cut and should start on the bench.
Martinez has hinted that Paris Saint-Germain pair Joao Neves and Vitinha are likely to link up in midfield over the coming years, referencing their “chemistry”, but Bayern Munich new boy Joao Palhinha will be hard to shift from Portugal’s engine room.
It remains to be seen if the ex-Belgium boss will stick with Rafael Leao on the left flank, as the AC Milan winger has had a mixed start to the season – being dropped but then scoring a brilliant goal last weekend – and there are several players vying for a place in the final third.
Portugal possible starting lineup: Costa; Dalot, Dias, A. Silva, Mendes; Palhinha, Vitinha; B. Silva, Fernandes, Leao; Ronaldo
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