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Portugal defender Pepe has picked up a thigh injury and will miss training ahead of his team's European Championship semifinal against Wales. The Real Madrid defender is a key player for Portugal and has been one of the team's best players on their run to the Euro 2016 last four. But Portugal press officer Onofre Costa told a news conference on Monday that Pepe has a thigh muscle problem and will not be training with the rest of the squad. "Pepe has a muscle pain in his thigh and is not going to train today as a precaution," Costa said. Portugal beat Poland on penalties to reach the quarterfinals, where they will face Chris Coleman's Wales in Lyon on Wednesday. Looking ahead to the last-four clash, Portugal midfielder Andre Gomes is confident his side can handle Wales' star man Gareth Bale. "I know Gareth Bale from the Spanish league," the Valencia midfielder told a news conference at their team base. "I also played against British teams in the past, so I know their way to play, their style. They are very strong physically, they've got a very good team. "We are preparing to face a very strong Wales team. They attack very well. I think they counter-attack very well as well. But we will use our weapons the best way we can to beat them on Wednesday." Gomes also praised Portugal talisman Cristiano Ronaldo, adding: "He has been working for the group and the group is the most important. Maybe people were waiting for more goals, but he has made the best contribution to the team." Information from the Press Association was used in this report.
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