Portugal were expected to rely on a Real Madrid star to carry their Euro 2016 campaign, but most people wouldn’t have counted on Pepe being that man. Cristiano Ronaldo had his say in the semi-final, but it is Pepe who led the way until that point as the bedrock of a Selecao side lacking in both quality and experience. His recovery from a thigh injury will be as crucial to Portugal’s hopes of pulling off an upset as Ronaldo’s performance upfront.
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In recent weeks, the Real Madrid stalwart has been labelled a “gigantic d***” (per Gary Lineker) and a “Hollywood actor” (courtesy Iceland coach Lars Lagerback). Whisper it quietly, but here’s a new label – Best Defender at Euro 2016.
After a poor start to the tournament, Pepe’s performances steadily improved with every step in Portugal’s ungainly march to the semi-finals. His monstrous displays in the Round of 16 and quarter-finals were perhaps aided by the fact that he no longer had to worry about covering for the geriatric Ricardo Carvalho, his defensive partner during the group stages. The benching of the 38-year-old in favour of Southampton’s Jose Fonte has been a boon for Pepe, as it has freed him up to focus on marshalling the backline and setting the tone for Portugal’s defensive displays.
Also read: Euro 2016: Why Portugal absolutely deserve to be here
It’s a responsibility that the Brazil-born defender has risen to with aplomb. The player who Portugal coach Fernando Santos described as his “right arm” on the pitch now leads the Selecao’s charts in every defensive indicator that matters, including shots blocked, crosses blocked and interceptions.
But perhaps the most impressive feature of Pepe’s play has been his reliance on positional nous, rather than speed and tackling ability, to proactively thwart attacks whenever possible. Whereas the Pepe of old sought to brandish his tenacity and physical gifts at every given opportunity, he now deploys these weapons as fall-back options and only when necessary. This is a sure sign of a defender operating at the peak of his intelligence, which he has had to do to get the better of the likes of Poland’s Robert Lewandowski and Croatia’s Mario Mandzukic. Can he now repeat the trick with the tournament’s leading goalscorer Antoine Griezmann?
Attack from the back
Pepe doesn’t merely offer defensive solidity, however; he also plays a vital role in helping Portugal mount attacks from the back.
According to Whoscored.com, the former Porto man averages an incredible 5 turnovers per game in the defensive third. He has also played 141 forward passes over the course of the tournament, behind only the German duo of Toni Kroos and Jerome Boateng. His forward-thinking play in possession is crucial to a Portugal team heavily dependent on direct, vertical attacking players like Ronaldo, Nani and Ricardo Quaresma.
Pepe’s willingness to launch diagonal balls is vital to bringing the fullbacks into play, stretching the field and creating space for the likes of young Renato Sanches to revel in.
Credit overdue
The two-time Champions League winner’s consummate performances will come as little surprise to close followers of Real Madrid’s fortunes.
While Sergio Ramos’ popularity and penchant for scoring important goals make him a more fashionable choice for end-of-year award nominations and Best XI selections, it is Pepe who has been Real Madrid’s best defender over the past three seasons. That he hasn’t received due recognition for his performances is a direct consequence of his reputation as a bruiser and a diver rolled into one. The 33-year-old has been one of the most widely reviled figures in the game ever since he violently raked his studs across the back of Getafe’s Javier Casquero in 2009 (ironically, in protest of perceived playacting by Casquero). Incidents such as his embarrassing face-clutching theatrics in the Champions League final haven’t aided his reputation.
However, these episodes shouldn’t muddy appraisals of Pepe the player, unquestionably one of the best defenders in Europe today.
Like a Vintage port, Pepe continues to improve with each passing year. He’ll always be an acquired taste, but should he return from injury and help Portugal to a most improbable victory, he may yet receive the credit that he has long deserved.
