Rui Borges set to pick backup over first-choice for Estoril v Sporting | OneFootball

Although Rui Silva is considered available for Estoril - Sporting, as he has returned to training with the main squad, Rui Borges is expected to once again choose João Virgínia for the starting eleven of the green and whites for the seventh round of Liga Portugal Betclic. Geny Catamo and Ousmane Diomande have also returned to contention.

According to information revealed by the newspaper Record, the goalkeeper is still experiencing some pain in his left thumb and Rui Borges does not want to risk aggravating the injury. Since João Virgínia has been performing very well, all indications are that he will start at Amoreira, with Rui Silva truly returning only for the trip to Naples.

Although the same source reveals that the discomfort does not prevent him from putting on his gloves and still taking part in training exercises, it is something the Sporting coaching staff will need to consider. It is worth remembering that Virgínia started for the Alvalade club against Famalicão, Kairat, and most recently, Moreirense. In these three matches, the 25-year-old goalkeeper conceded two goals (2-1 against Hugo Oliveira’s team and 4-1 in the Champions League), keeping a clean sheet in one of them (3-0).

This season, wearing the Sporting shirt, Rui Silva – valued at 7 million euros – has played five matches. The Portuguese international has started every game played by the green and whites, totaling 450 minutes, during which he conceded four goals.

Sporting will return to the pitch next Saturday, September 27, against Estoril, in a match for the seventh round of Liga Portugal Betclic. The game against the team led by Ian Cathro will be played at 8:30 pm, at the Estádio António Coimbra da Mota, the opponent’s ground.

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