Will Ronaldo start? Portugal announce lineup for match against Norway
Portugal have sprung a major surprise ahead of their UEFA Nations League second-round clash with Norway. Team captain Cristiano Ronaldo has not been named in the starting lineup and will begin the match on the bench.
The coaching staff's decision comes as a surprise, given the 41-year-old forward's status and his key role in the national team. Ronaldo remains one of Portugal's leading figures, but Jorge Jesus has decided not to start him this time.
It appears the coaching staff have decided to protect the experienced striker or bring him on after the break, when the opposition's fatigue could create additional opportunities for Ronaldo. After all, Cristiano played 67 minutes just a few days ago in the match against Wales, which ended in a narrow victory for Portugal.
The Norway–Portugal match carries major significance in the battle for points in the standings. All eyes will now be on exactly when Ronaldo takes to the field and what role he will be given in the encounter. The match will kick off at 20:45 Central European Time.
Jan Novak
Dailysports's expert
