Sporting's plan for Maxi, Zalazar and Suárez before Braga; details | OneFootball

Sporting are keeping a close eye on the fitness of Maxi Araújo, Rodrigo Zalazar and Luis Suárez ahead of the trip to Braga, scheduled for Friday, 9 October. The three South American internationals still have long journeys ahead of them and are expected to return to Alcochete very close to the resumption of club competition.

Maxi Araújo and Rodrigo Zalazar are still due to play on Tuesday against India in Kolkata, in Uruguay’s final friendly during this international break. The pair are expected to rack up 25,806 kilometres from leaving Lisbon for Tokyo to their return to Portugal, after stops in Rifu, Seoul and Kolkata.

The Uruguayan federation is also trying to find a solution that would speed up the return of players based in Europe, namely through a charter flight. Sporting hope to have Maxi and Zalazar back in Portugal by Wednesday, although their involvement in the final session before the trip to Minho may be limited.

The use of both players against India will therefore be decisive for Rui Borges’ decisions. Maxi Araújo and Zalazar remain important pieces in the coach’s plans, but he has alternatives if he feels the accumulated fatigue does not allow him to start both against Braga.

Rodrigo Dias appears as one of the options to replace Maxi Araújo on the left flank. In midfield, the possible absence of Zalazar - who was recently in the spotlight - from the starting eleven could open the door for players such as Flávio Gonçalves or Luís Guilherme, depending on the strategy defined for the match at the Pedreira.

Luis Suárez represents an even more delicate case. The Colombian striker will return to Alcochete later and is expected to travel a total of 14,435 kilometres during this international window, a circumstance that increases Sporting’s concern over the physical management of the 'number 97'.

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