When Pepe began his professional career with CS Maritimo on April 12, 2002, Castello Junior Lukeba was not yet in this world. He will be born a few months later, in December in Lyon. A precocious talent, he will face, on Wednesday March 9, his 20-year-old eldest and reference to the position of central defender, in the round of 16 first leg of the Europa League in Porto.
Castello Jr, as he prefers to be called, has established himself over the course of the season as a real defender of the Lyon defense despite his very young age (19 years old). Present during the summer preparation, he impressed Peter Bosz, in particular with his technical quality. Taking advantage of Jason Denayer’s injury and Damien Da Silva’s insufficient level, he started the titular season against Brest before giving up his place at halftime of the following match against Angers, to Sinaly Diomandé.
We then did not see him on a field with the first team of Olympique Lyonnais until the end of November, against Bröndby in the Europa League. But since that date, he has not left Peter Bosz’s eleven and even offered himself the luxury of opening his league goal counter at home against Metz. Associated with Jérôme Boateng in a three-man defense first then with Thiago Mendes, defensive midfielder, for four games, in a 4-2-3-1 which seems more effective than the previous systems.
Pepe returned to FC Porto in January 2019, twelve years after leaving the club for Real Madrid, where he left his mark on history. Left free by Besiktas, in the grip of serious financial difficulties, the Portuguese international therefore returned to the club which revealed him to the big day and immediately won over coach Sérgio Conceição, who established him for the end of season.
The central defender even wore the captain’s armband eight times the following year, taking Porto back to the top of the Portuguese league. This armband, he never let go of it again, he who became the real relay of Designao with the players… when he can. Plagued by injuries this season, the 39-year-old veteran has played 21 games this season.
Differentiated by their experience, the two evening stoppers are also differentiated by their style of play. Pepe is a rough defender who puts a lot of physical intensity and aggression. His reputation precedes him and can even sometimes deter attackers from going to duel. A strong character who sometimes plays tricks on him like against Sporting Portugal on February 11, where he was excluded after the meeting for a fight with the defending champions.
Castello Jr is much calmer in his non-sporting behavior but also on the pitch, where he exudes an astonishing serenity for his young age. He stands out for his clever placement and his sense of timing to get ahead of the attackers. He is also very clean in the relaunch with an impeccable technique that is felt in his relaunch. A factor that greatly appeals to Peter Bosz, who pushes his players to start cleanly from behind.
An opposition of generations between two defenders at the antipodes in terms of style. Pepe is the symbol of the old-fashioned hitchhiker, rough and bossy on one side. Castello Jr is also a first raiser, technically fine and comfortable with the ball on the other. His desire to break lines and move the team forward with each ball shot is the first witness to this. His training club was not mistaken in offering him a contract extension until 2025 in January.