PORT OF CALL
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in defensive injury crisis ahead of must-win World Cup 2022 playoff against Turkey
Sponsored by
CRISTIANO RONALDO’S Portugal face an injury crisis with Pepe and Ruben Dias out of their crucial World Cup playoff against Turkey.
Fernando Santos’ men face a crunch semi-final clash against their European rivals on March 24.
2
2
And should Portugal win, they will then take on either Italy or North Macedonia in the final on March 29 to book a spot at Qatar 2022.
With top scorers Ronaldo and Diogo Jota leading the line, the Euro 2016 champs will have no worries over firepower.
However, Portugal face being exposed in defence, with BOTH of their first-choice centre-backs out of the Turkey game.
Manchester City star Ruben Dias suffered a hamstring injury earlier this month and could be out for up to six weeks.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
Meanwhile, Porto’s Pepe made the squad last week but has now tested positive for Covid.
To make matters worse, Portugal only called up three centre-backs to their squad in the first place.
Lille’s Jose Fonte made the cut as usual, while Sporting Lisbon’s Goncalo Inacio was selected in place of Dias.
And with Pepe now absent, inexperienced Lille man Tiago Djalo has been brought in late on.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
However, Portugal do have another option in midfielder Danilo Pereira, who has occasionally played at centre-back with Paris Saint-Germain.
Even so, the loss of both Dias and Pepe could destabilise Portugal in their battle to reach the World Cup.
Fonte and Inacio are likely going to be the two men stepping in.
And it could place more pressure on full-backs Joao Cancelo and Nuno Mendes to provide more defensive cover instead of bombing forward as usual.
Topics