Sporting may have two trump cards to stun Arsenal in the Champions League | OneFootball

Sporting go into the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals at a disadvantage, after losing to Arsenal at Alvalade (1-0). Kai Havertz’s stoppage-time goal forces the Lions to score in London to keep their hopes alive. Even so, Rui Borges believes in a comeback and made it clear that “everything is still open”.

For the clash at the Emirates Stadium, the Sporting coach will have two important reinforcements: Morten Hjulmand and Geovany Quenda. The Danish midfielder missed the first leg due to an accumulation of yellow cards and is expected to return straight to the starting XI, as a key piece in midfield balance. Quenda, meanwhile, having recovered from surgery on the fifth metatarsal of his right foot, is expected to start on the bench, but he gives the team more attacking options.

The young winger recently returned from London, where he completed part of his recovery, and is being reintegrated gradually. He was not an option against Santa Clara or in the first meeting with Arsenal, but he could get minutes soon, starting with the clash against Estrela da Amadora. The coaching staff want to avoid risks after a long spell out.

Quenda was injured in the derby against Benfica on December 5 and has not played since. Before the injury layoff, he had made 22 appearances, with five goals and eight assists, numbers that surpass those of the previous season. His ability to make the difference is seen as an asset for the final stretch of the campaign.

Hjulmand, in turn, remains one of the team’s key players. The captain also returns after the setback with Denmark, who failed to qualify for the World Cup. Rested against Santa Clara, the midfielder has made 39 appearances this season, with 3,503 minutes, two goals and six assists.

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