Leonino
·22 April 2026
Rui Borges loses patience and benches regular for Porto v Sporting

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Yahoo sportsLeonino
·22 April 2026

Rui Borges is preparing a surprise in Sporting’s starting eleven for the Clássico against Porto in the second leg of the Portuguese Cup semi-finals. In a week marked by accumulated fatigue, the coach is expected to make changes in attack.
The main new feature is Daniel Bragança’s inclusion in the starting lineup, taking up the ‘No. 10’ role, which means Pedro Gonçalves will drop out of the starting team. The midfielder is expected to play behind Luis Suárez, forming an attacking trio with Francisco Trincão on the left and Geny Catamo on the right.
In midfield, the duo of Hidemasa Morita and Morten Hjulmand remains the foundation of Sporting’s balance, while Luis Suárez continues to be the team’s most advanced reference pointSporting, as has been the case throughout the season.
Pote, meanwhile, is expected to start on the bench, something that has not happened for eight matches. The last time the ‘No. 8’ did not start was precisely in the first leg of these semi-finals against Porto, when he came on in the 66th minute. The physical management of the Portugal international, who has not been at 100% and has frequently been substituted in recent matches, helps explain this decision by the coaching staff.
. The match, corresponding to the second leg of the Portuguese Cup semi-finals, against the team coached by Francesco Farioli, will be played at the Estádio do Dragão at 8:45 p.m.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.









































