Pote aims to build on historic milestone at Sporting, Porto in his sights | OneFootball

Pote was once again decisive last Sunday, opening the way to victory for Sporting against Nacional (2-1). The goal scored at Alvalade had special significance, as it represented the 100th goal of the number 8’s senior career, seven of which were scored while playing for Famalicão, before joining the Lions.

With renewed confidence, the winger already has his sights set on the Classic of the 21st round of the League, against Porto, scheduled for next Monday. Sporting – which is undergoing a turnaround regarding Ioannidis’ return – will travel to the Dragão with the chance to reduce the points gap to the league leader, currently set at four points, in a match that could have a direct impact on the fight for first place.

Sunday’s match also marked Pote’s return to the starting lineup, after a long break due to injury. The Portuguese international hadn’t started a match since December 5th of last year, in the draw against Benfica at Luz, a game in which he also scored, then his 99th personal goal. Against Nacional, he confirmed his importance the moment he returned to the starting eleven.

Rui Borges has publicly emphasized the importance of the club’s number 8 in the team. After the player’s return to competition, the coach was clear in his analysis: “Pote is clearly different, the music changes [laughs]. Pote makes everyone better, or made everyone better, in this case.”

It’s worth recalling that before the Classic, Sporting takes the field this Thursday, February 5th, against AFS. The match, counting for the quarter-finals of the Portuguese Cup, against the team led by João Henriques, will be played at 8:45pm, at Alvalade.

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