Rui Borges finds answer to Maxi Araújo’s absence at Sporting | OneFootball

Neither Morten Hjulmand nor Maxi Araújo will be available for the match against Casa Pia. Both received cards in the game against Gil Vicente and are suspended, which takes away two key players from Rui Borges's lineup for Sporting. While there are several alternatives for the Danish midfielder in the midfield, on the left wing, the options are quite limited, with Matheus Reis emerging as the only natural choice.

The 30-year-old Brazilian defender is expected to return to the left flank, after being used in central defense alongside Eduardo Quaresma in the defeat against Vitória de Guimarães. Despite irregular use in the first half of the season, the versatility of Matheus Reis has been a frequent resource for the coach of the lions, especially during a phase marked by various physical limitations and suspensions. It should be noted that the player’s contract ends next summer.

Ricardo Mangas, another option for the left-back position, remains sidelined due to a muscle injury sustained at the end of December and will not be fit for the next league game, which further reduces the options for Rui Borges at this stage.

The medical report of Sporting remains extensive and is expected to stay that way in preparation for the clash with Casa Pia. Of the eight players under the care of the medical department, Zeno Debast is close to returning, while Fotis Ioannidis remains under observation, after being substituted early in the match against Vitória de Guimarães with complaints about his left knee. Although a serious injury is ruled out, there is caution in managing the forward, who suffered a ligament injury in the same knee in November and is being reassessed daily.

The list of unavailable players also includes Eduardo Quaresma, Nuno Santos, Geovany Quenda, Ricardo Mangas, Pedro Gonçalves, and Salvador Blopa. From this group, the first three are recovering from traumatic injuries, while the rest have muscle problems. None are expected to recover in time for Friday’s game, with the academy gem being the player with the closest prospects of returning.

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