Gonçalo Inácio was on the brink, break may have changed all at Sporting | OneFootball

Gonçalo Inácio returns to Sporting with a clearer head ahead of the trip to Braga. The centre-back did not play a single minute for the National Team during this international break and therefore had the chance to recover after a less positive spell with the Lions, which has left him frustrated.

According to ‘CNN Portugal’, the fact that Jorge Jesus did not use him ended up giving the defender a period of greater rest and some mental recovery, at a time when the 'number 25' was coming off difficult moments at Sporting, namely two own goals and the team’s recent draws.

Inácio had already been left out of the options in the first match of this Nations League round, against Wales. In the following games, against Norway and Denmark, he was on the bench but once again did not make it onto the pitch. Now, at the Estádio do Dragão, he was left out again.

The Portugal international now returns to Alcochete without any accumulated competitive fatigue and with the visit to Pedreira on the horizon. This could be important for Rui Borges, especially at a time when Sporting’s defence has several limitations for the eighth-round match.

This season, wearing the Sporting shirt, Gonçalo Inácio - valued at €35 million - has made seven appearances: six in the Liga Portugal Betclic and one in the Champions League. In 630 minutes on the pitch, the green-and-white captain has scored one goal.

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