Rui Borges plans just one change for Sporting v Porto, find out which | OneFootball

Sporting is expected to make few changes to the starting eleven for the Classic against Porto, with only one change anticipated compared to the team used against Estoril Praia: All indications are that Rui Borges will bring Pedro Gonçalves back into the starting lineup, taking Luís Guilherme's place in the attacking trio.

A key element in Sporting’s dynamic, the Portuguese playmaker was not used in the 3-0 win over Estoril last Friday. With six matches scheduled before the international break in March, the coaching staff chose to manage the physical condition of the 27-year-old player, who was not yet at 100%—something confirmed by Rui Borges at the end of the match—despite having served a suspension during the trip to Moreira de Cónegos.

Returning to action at the end of January, after about a month and a half out due to a muscle injury, the ‘number 8’ is still in the process of regaining peak physical condition. In the win over Famalicão, for example, he played a physically demanding match, even acting as the most advanced forward. At Alcochete, the priority is to minimize physical risks, which is why he remained on the bench against Estoril, with no need to be used.

With the team going through a positive period, Rui Borges is therefore expected to repeat almost the same starting eleven as in the last Classic played at Estádio do Dragão. The Portuguese Cup stands as the second major objective of the season for the national champions, who are looking to repeat the double achieved in 2024/25.

In the current season, playing for Sporting, Pedro Gonçalves—valued at 30 million euros—has played 25 matches. In his 1,842 minutes on the pitch, the footballer has already scored 11 goals and assisted his teammates on six occasions.

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