Jorge Jesus says he is "not afraid of Norway" as Portugal prepare to build on their winning start to the Nations League.
Jesus' debut ended in a narrow 1-0 win over Wales on Thursday, with Joao Felix's deflected shot securing all three points.
However, Portugal now travel to Norway, who sit top of the group after a 3-2 win over Denmark, with Erling Haaland scoring a brace.
Norway have not lost at home since March 2024, and are high scorers in all competitions, having netted 37 goals in World Cup qualifying during a perfect campaign, and then scoring 13 goals in the tournament proper.
Jesus acknowledged the quality of the team they are facing but believes the quality in his own squad will shine through.
"[It's going to be a] difficult game because of the quality the team has; they demonstrated it at the World Cup," Jesus said of Norway.
"They have a forward duo that is perhaps the best in Europe right now, and besides that, they have other players we know from the Portuguese league.
"They have their strengths and their quality, but so do we. Despite having little time to work with me, we will have quality. I'm not afraid of Norway at all, zero. I look more at the team defensively than offensively."
Jesus will be without Bruno Fernandes for the trip to Oslo, though, with the Manchester United captain suffering from an injury.
He has played in all seven of United's matches this season, starting six of those, and featured from the start against Wales before being withdrawn in the 90th minute.
"Against Wales, we went in with practically everyone physically available and came out with a complicated problem with Bruno Fernandes; we'll see what happens," Jesus said.
"He's coming off an injury at United, and he told me he's been playing with that pain for the last three games, which is hindering him.
"It was one of the factors that prevented Bruno from playing at his best against Wales. I've already spoken to him, and I prefer not to risk it in this game, so he's fully fit for the Denmark match."
Cristiano Ronaldo is in the running to get a starting place, though, having had a goal disallowed against Wales last time out.
"Let's start with his performance against Wales. We had 15 shots inside the box, and of those 15, Ronaldo was involved in seven, and two of those were on target," Jesus said.
"That was a lot. His performance can be better, obviously; he came close to scoring, but I've already spoken to him.
"He played 65 minutes [against Wales]. I'll see how he is, whether I start him or come off the bench, because whether we like it or not, Cristiano isn't Joao Neves, who is 20 years old and can play two games in a row every three days.
"We have to look at it from that perspective, but he's one of the players about whom training will tell us something."
Dihaciknyz
0
Now look how well Vitinha and Joao Neves will play with Bruno Fernandes. He’s the real problem in the Portugal team, not just Ronaldo
The difference between Argentina team and Portugal team is that Argentina has a true leader but Portugal doesn't. Argentina team is not better than Portugal team in anyway but Argentina has a leader who brings everyone together by his deeds and by actions, making everyone feel sense of belonging. Messi passes the ball to everyone and even tell players where to stay and he will reach them with ball but cr7 always want the player to play for only him to score, he alone want to be seen and anyone who try to be seen would be attacked and bullied by cr7 fans, if you tried to score goals and refuse to give the ball to cr7 you will be bullied by cr7 fans.
Dihaciknyz
1
With all these, is it not clear that cr7 time is extra over? A wise performer leaves the podium when ovation is loudest but in cr7 case he ignores the saying even the ovation is no more he still want to continue. Very soon things will go from bad to worse for him because before now coaches don't have this kind of boldness to talk about him but now is like no regard for him again. Cristiano's fans are his greatest enemy, they keep pushing him beyond his limits just because of Messi and for their own pride without thinking about how the guy feel behind the scene. If not because Cristiano fears his ferocious fans and how they will react, he would have retired long time and accept the Supremacy of Messi but for the fear of his fans while the guy is suffering silently. Cr7 fans Pls, don't pai this man with your selfishness and lack of consideration. This man is 42, but you want him to score 1k goals to satisfy your obsession for Messi. Even if Cristiano score 200,000 goals he will still come behind Messi, that is his destiny, cr7 himself knows it but he can't tell his fans.
Nowalmnsyz
1
Now look how well Vitinha and Joao Neves will play with Bruno Fernandes. He’s the real problem in the Portugal team, not just Ronaldo
Ur so stupid
Jieabkmpr
1
Now look how well Vitinha and Joao Neves will play with Bruno Fernandes. He’s the real problem in the Portugal team, not just Ronaldo
Dumbass
Slow-Kelvin_10
0
Now look how well Vitinha and Joao Neves will play with Bruno Fernandes. He’s the real problem in the Portugal team, not just Ronaldo
Without Bruno Fernandes
Slow-Kelvin_10
2
Now look how well Vitinha and Joao Neves will play with Bruno Fernandes. He’s the real problem in the Portugal team, not just Ronaldo