Exclusive Leonino - Rui Borges makes call after Sporting injury | OneFootball

João Simões is injured and is under the care of Sporting's medical department. As revealed by our Newspaper in this Leonino Exclusive, the midfielder's unavailability opens a window of opportunity for Giorgi Kochorashvili, who was signed from Levante in the summer.

The Georgian has had a tough time at Alvalade, unable to secure a spot in the starting eleven. João Simões' recent form even pushed the 'number 14' to third choice, behind Hidemasa Morita, who lost his starting position to the Alcochete-trained player.

However, with João Simões' injury, Kochorashvili will become the second choice for Rui Borges and is expected to start in the Portuguese Cup against Marinhense, pairing up with Hidemasa Morita or even Rayan Lucas, who is looking for an opportunity.

This season with Sporting, Giorgi Kochorashvili - valued at 6 million euros - has already played 12 matches in the green and white stripes: nine in the Liga Portugal Betclic, one in the Champions League, one in the League Cup, and another in the Cândido de Oliveira Super Cup. For the lions, the midfielder provided one assist.

Sporting will return to the field only on Saturday, November 22, against Marinhense. The match, part of the fourth round of the Portuguese Cup, against the team led by Rui Sacramento, will be played at 6:00 PM in Alvalade.

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