Sporting have made their decision: Luis Suárez will be replaced | OneFootball

Fotis Ioannidis will remain in Sporting’s starting XI and is expected to once again be Rui Borges’ choice to lead the attack against Vitória de Guimarães, replacing Luis Suárez in the starting role that had been his in 2025/26. The Greek international has gained an edge over the Colombian and boosted his confidence after getting back on the scoresheet in Reboleira.

The striker had not scored since 23 December 2025, coincidentally against the team from Guimarães, in a 4-1 win. The goal against Estrela da Amadora has now brought a long goal drought to an end and came at an important moment for the player.

Fully recovered from the ligament injury to his left knee suffered last season, Ioannidis is still looking to regain his best physical condition. On the opening matchday, he needed seven shots to score, three of them on target, in what was also the game in which he attempted the most finishes since arriving at Sporting.

The relief was clear in his celebration, but Rui Borges chose to manage the use of the ‘number 7’. Ioannidis is still not in condition to play the full 90 minutes and ended up being substituted, watching from the bench as Estrela reacted and grabbed the equaliser.

Despite that limitation, the Greek will keep his place in the starting XI for at least one more matchday. Luis Suárez therefore starts lower down the pecking order again, while Fotis Ioannidis looks to make the most of the moment and score again against the very opponent he had scored his last goal against before the long drought.

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