3) Pepe
Portugal fans will have a hard time recollecting solid defensive displays from their national side in the years gone by, since Euro 2004. Often touted as the team’s weakest link, the defence has always been subject to criticism for being the major let-down for an otherwise impressive team performance.
However, Euro 2016 seems to have changed all of that and it is primarily because of their defence that Portugal have progressed to the semi-finals. Apart from a shoddy display against Hungary, Portugal’s defence, marshalled by Pepe, have done exceedingly well against some of Europe’s formidable attackers.
Euro 2016 has marked Pepe’s coming of age, with his transformation from a rash and impulsive defender, to one measured in the tackle and with an eye for spotting danger and snuffing it out. Pepe has led an inexperienced defence ably, making crucial tackles and keeping opposition strikers of Robert Lewandowski and Mario Madzukic’s calibre relatively silent. Portugal will be relying on Pepe to shut out Bale and co. for their dream run to continue.
