Portugal’s veteran defender Pepe remained on the sidelines Friday as his team plotted the daunting challenge of facing France on home territory in the Euro 2016 final.
Portugal’s veteran defender Pepe remained on the sidelines Friday as his team plotted the daunting challenge of facing France on home territory in the Euro 2016 final.
The 33-year-old Real Madrid star, who has played a key role in Portugal’s advance to the final, stretched and did warmup exercises away from the main training group during a 15 minute period when Portugal allowed media access.
Pepe missed the semi-final win over Wales on injury because of a leg muscle problem that has been troubling him for a while. Bruno Alves took his place in the team.
Portugal must now take on a French side that has been swept up in a wave of national football fervour after their impressive 2-0 win over world champions Germany in Thursday’s semifinal.
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