three big absentees against Poland

This Saturday evening (8:45 p.m.), Portugal faces Poland for the third day of the group stage of the League of Nations. And as UEFA regulations stipulate, only 23 players can appear on the match sheet for each team. Roberto Martinez, who had summoned 26, had to leave three behind. The leaders of the Seleção Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Rúben Dias are well and good of the game, unlike the little newcomer Tomás Araújo.

The young SL Benfica defender was initially not part of the Spanish technician’s list, but ended up integrating it after the package of Gonçalo Inácio. Ultimately, he will watch the match from the stands. The second absentee is none other than João Palhinha. Captain of the Lusitanian team during Euro 2024, the midfielder is struggling to find a place at Bayern Munich and has been left aside by his coach.

Finally, Francisco Conceição, who was back in the list after being absent last month, will not be in the game either. The Juventus winger has been in great form recently, perhaps not enough to be included in the 23.

^{Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images}