Shock at Sporting - Bodø/Glimt: Key Lions player dropped to the bench | OneFootball

Rui Borges is preparing some changes in the Sporting lineup for the home match against Bodø/Glimt, concerning the second leg of the Champions League round of 16. One of the changes is expected to occur in the defensive line, with Eduardo Quaresma replacing Ousmane Diomande.

The possible inclusion of the 24-year-old center-back has a strategic component, according to the newspaper Record. The Sporting coach is seeking higher quality in building from the back, something the Portuguese U21 international has demonstrated when used, especially in this competition.

The numbers in this edition of the Champions League confirm this profile. In the five games he participated in, three of them as a starter, Quaresma boasts a pass accuracy of around 95%, with 214 successful passes out of 227 attempts, a record superior to that of other colleagues in the same position.

The physical management of Diomande also weighs in the decision. The Ivorian defender is observing Ramadan, a period that involves dietary restrictions during the day, something that was already noted in the trip to Braga and could again influence the player's usage.

With Quaresma's possible starting position, Gonçalo Inácio is expected to play alongside him in the center of defense inspired by the 'Heroes of 64'.

If used, the defender currently has 22 goals and 14 assists in the Sporting jersey, remaining one of the team's key figures.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.