Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti admits they almost lost Pepe in the summer.
The Portugal defender scored the winner against Espanyol on Sunday.
"He is having a very good season. At first he was hesitant about staying and I told him that he that he was important for us. We have two good centre-backs. We've got Varane too, who we hope to get back soon, and Nacho, who is doing well. It is no coincidence that the team has done better defensively in recent matches. The defenders have improved a lot," said Ancelotti.
