Rui Borges confirms it! Sporting’s injured player back in the squad | OneFootball

Rui Borges, coach of Sporting, held a press conference this Wednesday, September 17th, to preview the game against Kairat Almaty, scheduled for tomorrow at 8:00 PM at the José Alvalade Stadium, for the first round of the Champions League. The coach confirmed that Pedro Gonçalves and Hidemasa Morita, who have been sidelined due to injury, are included in the squad.

"Regarding Pote and Morita, both are included in the squad for the game," he stated. When asked if the 'number 8' will start, he mentioned that there are several options available: "If Pote doesn't play, there are other solutions, but he is included in the squad. There's Maxi, Fotis, Alisson, Lucas Anjos, who is also included. There are various options."

Hidemasa Morita has thus recovered from the physical issues that affected him in recent weeks and participated in Sporting's training session this Wednesday morning, during which the absence of Pedro Gonçalves was noted, as he was working out in the gym. Nevertheless, both are fit for the match.

The coach also spoke about the watch he has been using as a lucky charm for over 10 years: "So far, I always have the right time. It brought me to Sporting. It's a watch that has been with me forever, it's one of those quirks that coaches have... for what it means in reminding me of our journey as a coaching team and where I came from. It's symbolic but I like it," he said.

After a 2024/25 season plagued by various physical problems, Hidemasa Morita - valued at 13 million euros - has already played four games in this new season for Sporting. The Japanese midfielder has accumulated 259 minutes of play, always as a starter in Rui Borges' lineup.

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