Rui Borges' handling questioned at Sporting: "Inácio erred more and stayed” | OneFootball

Eduardo Quaresma is set to get another chance in Sporting’s starting line-up away at Braga. With Zeno Debast suspended and Ibrahima Ba still doubtful, the 24-year-old centre-back is a strong contender to partner Gonçalo Inácio at the Pedreira.

Speaking to the newspaper O Jogo, Morato expressed confidence in the defender’s ability to seize the opportunity. “Eduardo Quaresma has a lot of quality, he’s a real fighter and a Sporting fan through and through. He hasn’t lost his quality overnight, so to speak. He’s always had quality.”

The former Sporting great even believes that Quaresma could play an important role in one of the toughest matches of this stage. “Of the players there, he could be the one to make a positive difference. If he plays in Braga, his commitment, strength and desire to play and win could help him keep his place in the starting line-up. Braga are always tough opponents, they always have been.”

Morato also took the opportunity to defend the centre-back against the criticism he received after his mistake against Estrela da Amadora on the opening matchday. “Gonçalo Inácio has let the team down on a few occasions, and he’s kept playing. Does it make sense to treat Quaresma differently? Quaresma made one mistake and was dropped, while Gonçalo Inácio has made more mistakes and hasn’t been dropped,” he said.

Eduardo Quaresma’s versatility - he even apologised to the squad - was also discussed. Although Rui Borges has praised that quality, Morato believes the defender should settle permanently at centre-back. “I think a permanent position needs to be established for Quaresma, in this case centre-back, so he can always work in that role. Coaches need to put their faith in Quaresma as a centre-back.”

The former Portugal international also offered the Sporting player some advice. “A little more concentration. He’s a young player, but everyone makes mistakes, even the older ones. Centre-backs’ mistakes lead to very dangerous chances, if not goals, but when a striker misses an open goal, we say, ‘He missed, move on.’”

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