The scene changes but the same players are playing: Rui Borges is preparing to play in the same eleven who started the classic with Benfica and who played so well in the first half. Gonçalo Inácio, Daniel Bragança and Pedro Gonçalves still absent against Guimarães
The scene changes, from the José Alvalade stadium in Lisbon to the Dom Afonso Henriques in Guimarães, but the Sporting performers must be the same ones who started the classic with Benfica (1-0) and who played so well in the first half. Conductor Rui Borges wants the orchestra to be in tune and continued to rehearse with the same team during the week.
It was with surprise that Rui Borges designed the team in 4x4x2 or 4x3x3, depending on the defensive or offensive perspective from which we look at the classic, abandoning the 3x4x3 implemented at Sporting by Ruben Amorim and which lasted almost five years . To do this, it took some adaptations, because the team was built according to the scheme of the former coach, now at Manchester United, and the lack of, for example, new right-backs is obvious, especially since Fresneda is evaluated by the new coach. coach and with Ricardo Esgaio suspended. Eduardo Quaresma was the bet on the right and should continue like this, even if he comes out of the classic in the 70′, exhausted.
Still in defense, but now on the left, Matheus Reis in the full-back role that he also knows well, especially since there is no Nuno Santos, a winger who is recovering from a long injury . St. Juste and Diomande form the central duo, with Zeno Debast being an option on the bench and with Gonçalo Inácio still out, recovering from a sprained left ankle. Behind the defensive quartet, goalkeeper Franco Israel.
In the line of four in midfield, Geny Catamo on the right, who scored the only goal of Sunday’s classic and is ready to move up to the finishing areas. On the left, the young Geovany Quenda plays the same role as the Mozambican, looking for the opportunity to score or serve. In the middle, captain Hjulmand and Hidemasa Morita, returned after an injury in the match against Benfica and who should already today present superior physical indicators to be able to breathe longer against Vitória — Daniel Bragança is still recovering from a muscle injury.
Alexandre Brito, midfielder of the B team, 19 years old, selected by the coach for the duel at D. Afonso Henriques
Pedro Gonçalves is also recovering from a muscle injury. But even if he is already on the pitch, he still cannot play in Guimarães.
Ahead, Gyokeres is inevitable. And no less inevitable is Trincão, who is having a good season and now with a new role, attacking but also seeming to strengthen a more central area to create imbalances.
