Pepê’s versatility gives Porto security when they drop deep | OneFootball

The classic Portuguese Cup match against Sporting brought back recent memories: nights when Pepê’s versatility led him, more often than he would have liked, to play as a right-back. Trained and envisioned to be a winger, it’s in this more advanced position that the Brazilian feels most at ease.

Farioli has complete trust in number 11 and knows that, in more demanding matches, he can assign him delicate tasks. At Alvalade, with no natural right-back on the bench (Martim was still unavailable), the Italian coach considered it risky to keep Alberto on after a first half filled with intense duels and a yellow card that left him exposed.

This is how FC Porto changed its structure: Pepê dropped back to the defensive line and once again took up the right flank. In that role, he made two decisive clearances inside the box, showing a sense of timing, game reading, and controlled aggression. However, he also ended up influencing Sporting’s 1-0 by committing the foul that led to the lateral free kick (he handled the ball), and, in the continuation of the play, by Fofana’s infraction on Hjulmand. From the penalty spot, Luis Suárez made no mistake and put the Lions ahead in the first leg of the Portuguese Cup semi-final.

Even with that error weighing on his record, Pepê reaffirmed why he is one of the players Farioli trusts the most, despite his offensive numbers being far from those recorded at the start of the season. His ability to react after losing possession, to close inside, and to protect the defensive line provides a security that, for example, William Gomes still does not offer. His compatriot is more focused on creating imbalance and 1v1 situations, and at Alvalade spent much of the game causing problems for Maxi Araújo, though without the same defensive instinct.

Adapted to the right wing by Sérgio Conceição, especially in 2022/23, Pepê turned this versatility into his trademark. That season he played in 55 matches, including the Portuguese Cup final, and was named Player of the Year at the Dragões de Ouro, despite his offensive background. His ease in transitioning between lines—closing inside as a midfielder, playing as a winger, or dropping back to full-back—made him a versatile solution for different scenarios.

It’s this combination of qualities that keeps him as a central figure. While his direct influence on goals is no longer as high as William Gomes’s, number 11 makes up for it with a remarkable defensive rate—essential when the team is forced to drop back and the opponent exploits the flanks. Between his love of attacking and the duty to defend, Pepê continues to be the player who connects everything—even when, in a single play, he shows both the best and the worst of his craft.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.