"He is very sad": Maresca releases top scorer Pedro Neto
On Saturday night, Chelsea FC will face Palmeiras for a place in the semifinals of the Club World Cup. Whether the Blues will be able to call on their top scorer is questionable: Pedro Neto is mourning the loss of Diogo Jota.
Pedro Neto is reeling from the death of Diogo Jota. Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
The tragic accidental deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother caused worldwide shock on Thursday. A minute's silence will also be held before kickoff at the Club World Cup, where the first two quarterfinals are scheduled for Friday, in memory of the two Portuguese players.
The tragic loss of the 28-year-old, who leaves behind his wife and three children, could have sporting repercussions for Chelsea's match against Palmeiras on Saturday night (3 a.m. CEST, LIVE! on kicker): As Blues coach Enzo Maresca explained in advance, Pedro Neto in particular is feeling the effects of the loss of his companion.
The 25-year-old striker was "very sad, more than sad," said Maresca, and did not train on Thursday. "We are very close to him to support him in this moment." Pedro Neto and Diogo Jota were teammates on the Portuguese national team, and both once played together at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Maresca therefore gave his attacker, who has already scored three goals at the tournament in the USA, a free start against Palmeiras. "It's Pedro's decision alone," Maresca explained at the pre-match press conference. "I had a conversation with Pedro this morning, and we support him. Whatever decision he makes, it's the right one, and we'll support him no matter what, so it doesn't matter if he's on the pitch. We'll see how he feels tomorrow."
We tried to work, but the atmosphere today was clearly not the same as on other days.
Al-Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi
Al-Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi also spoke of the shock within his team ahead of his team's quarterfinal match against Fluminense on Friday evening (9 p.m.). The Saudi club also has two Portuguese players in its squad, Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves, who played alongside Diogo Jota for the national team. "We tried to work, but the atmosphere today was clearly not the same as on other days," Inzaghi said.
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