Rui Borges can push Gonçalo Inácio at Sporting, and here's why | OneFootball

Gonçalo Inácio is expected to return to the starting line-up for Sporting against Famalicão, despite the demanding run of matches. The Sporting captain started five of the club’s six games this season and remains one of Rui Borges’ main defensive pillars.

The trend suggests that the 'number 25' will once again partner Zeno Debast. The pairing has already produced good results for Sporting, having featured in the 4-0 win over Rio Ave and the 2-0 victory against Nacional, the only matches this season in which the Lions kept a clean sheet.

Debast is therefore expected to return to the starting eleven after being rested against Galatasaray in the Champions League. The Belgian international’s workload management is also linked to his recent return from injury, as he only resumed competition during the month of August.

Meanwhile, Gonçalo Inácio has shown the ability to cope even under heavy workloads. Over the last five seasons, the centre-back has always finished among the six Sporting players with the most minutes played, reinforcing his status as an almost indispensable figure.

Even so, the accumulated fatigue from the matches against Nacional, Galatasaray and Famalicão could lead Rui Borges to consider a last-minute change. Eduardo Quaresma is waiting in the wings after a strong display against the Turkish side and could come into the starting eleven if the coach decides to rest the captain.

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