Watch Pepe spark brawl in Porto’s clash with Mourinho’s Roma after clattering into ex-Man Utd and Arsenal ace Mkhitaryan
PORTO’S friendly with Roma descended into a mass brawl after veteran defender Pepe delivered a trademark smash on Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
The 38-year-old clotheslined his rival after an hour of the match in Portugal.
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Mkhitaryan, 32, played a first-time pass after receiving the ball from a team-mate and was rewarded with an utter clattering a split second later.
Pepe casually collapsed to the ground having crumpled the Armenian, who immediately leapt up in anger.
Porto and Roma players including Sergio Oliveira and Lorenzo Pellegrini dived into the pile-on, as the referee also barged his way across to separate the sparring stars.
Members from both benches joined in with the melee, with Giallorossi boss Jose Mourinho seen casually chatting with an opposition staff member after witnessing a familiar move by his former Real Madrid star.
The game was stopped for a few minutes before Mkhitaryan was booked before quickly being substituted by Mourinho.
Pepe, meanwhile, escaped any further punishment and saw out the game.
Having been a key member of Portugal’s Euro 2020 squad, the centre-back is showing no sign of slowing down or changing his ways, having reacted memorably to a yellow card during the summer tournament.
Roma had taken the lead shortly after the break through Gianluca Mancini before a late leveller from Vitor Ferreira.
Mourinho handed Rui Patricio, Chris Smalling and Edin Dzeko starts against Porto having so far made only one signing since taking charge.
Moves for Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka and Genoa forward Eldor Shomurodov are tipped to be top of his wishlist.
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The 58-year-old posted on Instagram after the friendly draw: “Thanks so much President for the beautiful gift and thanks FC Porto for a great training session.
“Training against a team that starts the league on the 8th of August was great for a team that starts it on the 22nd.”
Friendlies against Sevilla and Real Betis await for Roma before a Serie A opener against Fiorentina, while Porto face Lyon to round off their pre-season on Saturday.
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