Maxi Araújo creates major headache for Arouca v Sporting | OneFootball

It is on the left flank that Rui Borges faces his biggest dilemma. It is in that corridor that the Sporting coach will have to decide on the solution for the match against Arouca, scheduled for this Saturday at 6:00 pm, counting for the 19th round of the League. Maxi Araújo is guaranteed a spot in the starting eleven, but there is still uncertainty about the position he will occupy: left-back or a more advanced role in attack. That choice will determine whether Ricardo Mangas or Luís Guilherme is used, in a decision that will likely be kept until just before kickoff.

The Sporting delegation traveled with Ousmane Diomande and Pedro Gonçalves, both returning after injury layoffs. The central defender has not played since December 13, in the match against Aves SAD (6-0), before leaving for the AFCON, from which he returned with physical limitations. Meanwhile, the attacking midfielder has been out since the derby with Benfica on December 5, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Although called up, the plan is for them to come on only during the second half, with their playing time carefully managed.

Souleymane Faye is also available for the game in Arouca. The second winter signing, acquired from Granada for 6.5 million euros, was presented on Wednesday and is already registered in the League, and is expected to start the match on the bench.

In midfield, Morten Hjulmand returns to the squad after serving suspensions—one in the League and another in the Champions League—and is assured a place in the starting eleven, where Rui Borges faces another doubt: with João Simões and Hidemasa Morita in contention.

However, the main question remains on the left side: if Maxi Araújo drops back to left-back, Luís Guilherme should take the attacking flank; if the Uruguayan plays further forward, the tendency is for Ricardo Mangas to be chosen for defense.

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