Warning: Luis Suárez’s fitness sparks concern at Sporting | OneFootball

Between competitive necessity and physical risk, the use of Luis Suárez is starting to require caution at Sporting. Despite signs of accumulated fatigue in recent weeks, the Colombian forward is expected to start again in the trip to Norway to face Bodø/Glimt in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16.

Rui Borges' decision is tied to the striker's enormous influence on the team's offensive dynamics. In the last 16 games - except for the match against Famalicão, which he missed due to suspension - Suárez has been a constant presence and almost always played the full match. He only once did not complete the 90 minutes, when he was substituted at the 77th minute in the match against Moreirense, with Sporting already leading 3-0.

During this period, the Colombian also played two 120-minute matches, against AVS SAD and Santa Clara, numbers that demonstrate his importance to the team. In fact, he is currently the most used player by the Sporting coach, surpassing names like Francisco Trincão or Morten Hjulmand.

The fatigue became more visible in the last game against Braga, where the forward showed clear signs of tiredness in the final minutes. Since then, he has been following a specific physical management plan, with differentiated work and sessions focused on recovery, reducing the training load with the group.

Despite these precautions, internally Sporting continues to consider Luis Suárez an absolutely decisive piece. Out of the 40 games played by the team this season, the forward played the full match in 22 - 15 of them since December 17 - which confirms his centrality in the game model.

Thus, for the match in Norway, a management plan is already in place. If the game's intensity or result allows, Rui Borges may withdraw the Colombian earlier than usual. The alternative should come from the bench, with Rafael Nel, a 20-year-old forward from the B team, who has been increasingly called up to the main team context.

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