Rui Borges picks Luis Suárez replacement for Sporting v Santa Clara | OneFootball

Sporting only begin preparing for the match against Santa Clara on Tuesday, but Rui Borges is already facing a problem up front. With Fotis Ioannidis injured in his left knee and Luis Suárez suspended for one game due to a gesture directed at referee Cláudio Pereira, the coach is forced to look for alternatives. The task becomes even more complicated during a FIFA break, with several options away on international duty with their respective national teams.

Among the options being considered are Pedro Gonçalves, Francisco Trincão, Rafael Nel and Lucas Anjos. The first two are with the national team and will only return after the friendly against the United States, scheduled for April 1. That means they will have just over 48 hours until the clash with the Azorean side, set for April 3 at 8:30 p.m. at Alvalade, and, at best, only one training session before the match.

Given this scenario, the Academy youngsters are gaining ground. Rafael Nel appears as one of the main alternatives. The forward has already scored for the first team in the rout against Bodo/Glimt and is currently on duty with the under-20 national team, who face the Czech Republic. The player will be reassessed when he returns to Alcochete, but he is at least expected to be included in the squad.

Lucas Anjos is another option on the table. The youngster trained with the first team and was used in the practice match against 1.º Dezembro, which the Lions won 2-1. The attacker remains a backup option and could make his first official appearance for the first team at this stage of the season.

The match, corresponding to matchday 28 of the Liga Portugal Betclic against Petit’s side, will be played at the José Alvalade Stadium at 8:30 p.m.

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