2022 FIFA World Cup: Portugal's Danilo Pereira likely to miss South Korea match

Portugal's Danilo Pereira looks set to miss his team's last two FIFA World Cup Group H matches, including South Korea on December 2nd. 
Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images

The Paris Saint Germain midfielder suffered three fractured ribs in training. 

Portuguese national team boss Fernando Santos said via BBC Sport that the team "do not understand" how Danilo Pereira was able to suffer such an injury.

"It's normal these injuries happen but we didn't see how it happened exactly. Initially, we did not think it was a very serious one.

"We had a few exams to see if he was breathing properly and apparently that was the case, but afterwards we saw it was more serious. We are following it up.

"I am not a doctor so can't talk about it in detail but as far as I know he is evolving positively. We are expecting to have him [back] soon but if not we have three other midfielders who can replace him."

Usually a central midfielder, Danilo Pereira was deployed as a centre back on Portugal's 3-2 win over Ghana, but is now unlikely to feature until the knockout stages should his team qualify.

Instead, 39-year-old Porto defender Pepe could replace Danilo.

Danilo's absence will be felt, though, as the 31-year-old won 80% of his defensive duels against Ghana, 100% of his aerial duels, and won 75% of his loose ball duels.

The news comes as South Korea boss Paulo Bento is having to deal with notable absentees of his own.

Kim Min-jae's availability for the match with Ghana on Monday night is up in the air while the Portuguese has categorically ruled out Hwang Hee-chan's involvement.

South Korea take on Portugal on Friday 2nd December at 6 PM local time, or midnight in Korea. 

[KLUPod: World Cup 2022 Preview: South Korea Vs. Ghana]