Euro 2016: Portugal vs France - 5 Players to watch out for

#2 Pepe

Portugal's biggest enemy in recent times has been their defending. In many ways, a standard defence could have taken Portugal closer to the trophy on a number of occasions in the past. Without a proper defensive leader, and players who rarely make it to the first teams of elite teams in Europe, Portugal's bane has easily been their defence.

Since the likes of Fernando Couto retired, Portugal have lacked the defensive solidity of yester years. However, Euro 2016 seems to have changed all of that and it is primarily because of their defence that Portugal have progressed to the final.

The tournament has seen Portugal put up an organised defence line for the first time in recent memory. Led by Pepe who himself has transformed from a rash and impulsive tackler to a more tactical defender, capable of keeping his cool under pressure and reading the game much better than opposition attackers.

Pepe has faced the likes of Lewandowski and Mandzukic and emerged relatively unscathed and fans were on tenterhooks when news of Pepe’s absence against Wales filtered through before their semi-final clash. Having successfully negotiated this challenge, they will be hoping to see Pepe back in time for the final and control the backline against France’s deadly attack.