(ANSA-AFP) – LISBON, MARCH 21 – Pepe, defender of Portugal, tested positive for Covid-19 on the first day of the shave that precedes the play-offs for the 2022 World Cup, announced the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), without specify the duration of its quarantine. To replace the 39-year-old, coach Fernando Santos has called in Lille player Tiago Djalo.
Already deprived of the injured Manchester City center-back Ruben Dias, Portugal will host Turkey in Porto on Thursday in the semi-finals of the next World Cup playoffs. If successful, Seleçao will host the winner of the semi-final between Italy and North Macedonia on 29 March, again at the Dragon stadium. The Portuguese association had already announced the absence of midfielder Ruben Neves, who suffered an injury last weekend with his club, Wolverhampton. He was replaced in the squad by rookie Vitinha, 22. (ANSA-AFP).
Source: Ansa
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