Original title: Pepe is infected with the new crown, the World Cup qualifier play-off Portugal team is in a hurry
The Portuguese men’s football team announced on the 21st that central defender Pepe has been quarantined for contracting the new crown virus. Counting Manchester City’s “Iron Gate” Dias, who missed the squad due to injury, both Portugal’s two main defenders will miss the 2022 Qatar World Cup European qualifier against Turkey on the 24th.
Portugal lost to Serbia at home in the final round of the World Preliminary Group Stage, and finally ranked second in the group and had to participate in the play-offs. On the 21st, the Portuguese team assembled in the Portuguese Football Association Football City to prepare for the single-leg play-off match with the Turkish team. On that day, 14 players, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Felix, had a confrontation in the stadium, and the rest of the players had recovery training in the gym.
The 39-year-old “old” Pepe is still the main defender of the Portuguese national team. The absence of both him and Dias this time will also bring certain hidden dangers to the Portuguese team’s defense. At present, the central defender candidates in the Portuguese team include 38-year-old Fonte, 20-year-old star Inacio, and the Portuguese national youth team central defender Jallo, who was selected to replace Pepe.
According to the results of the play-off draw, the winner between Portugal and Turkey will compete with Italy or North Macedonia for a Qatar World Cup final on the 29th. (Chen Baiqiao)