Sporting take drastic step with Morita in Estoril clash | OneFootball

Hidemasa Morita returned to the starting 11 of Sporting in their victory against Estoril, last Saturday, September 27. The Japanese central midfielder of the Lions was once again part of Rui Borges' initial choices, but still, he participated with time limitations, as his physical condition continues to be managed.

According to information advanced by the Record newspaper, the substitution of the 'number 5' of the Alvalade Club was premeditated, as they count on the Japanese international for the confrontations against Naples and Braga and want the player in good physical shape. As such, the player entered the field with adhesive protections in the area of his left knee.

In order to protect Hidemasa Morita and avoid any physical relapse, Rui Borges chose to substitute his player and launched Giorgi Kochorashvili to form a duo with Morten Hjulmand in Sporting's midfield, a position that has been occupied since the Japanese's injury in the third round, against Nacional.

Who also revealed that the decision to take the Japanese off at halftime was premeditated was the coach Rui Borges, in his analysis after the confrontation with Estoril: “It was really due to the management of what has been the arrival of Hidemasa Morita. He was destined to leave and only do that time. We chose to put him in from the start and take him out later. That was all".

This season, with the Sporting shirt, Hidemasa Morita - valued at 13 million euros - has played seven matches. At the start of this season, the Japanese international midfielder played a total of 369 minutes, during which he assisted his teammates on one occasion.

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