2023-11-26 01:00:07
The break for national team commitments is over and, these days, another round of the Prova Rainha of Portuguese football is playing. The draw dictated that Sporting, one of the clubs that has won the trophy the most times, would receive this Sunday the modest Dumiense, from the Portuguese Championship (4th national tier), who are looking to “make the Cup” in a dream stage for this group .
Sporting is a candidate to win the Portuguese Cup as soon as it begins its participation in it and, this season, the lions seem more mature than in 2022/23, so much so that they have been fighting for 1st place in the championship, just « lost” in the last round, against Benfica (2-1). However, they already had a little scare in the Cup, in the last round, and also against an opponent from lower national levels, against Olivais and Moscavide (1-3), what proves is that nothing is a “fab story” in the Cup.
For this game, Rúben Amorim must implement some rotation in the team, especially because there is a European match in the middle of the week, but nothing too deep, especially because it is not usual for him. Gonçalo Inácio is confirmed due to suspension, but he should not be the only starter to be rested. Names like Franco Israel, St. Juste, Daniel Bragança and Paulinho should deserve confidence in this game and will certainly be looking for something more for the future.
On the other side is a team with clear inferior arguments, but which has already “made the Cup” this season, after eliminating AVS in the last round (1-0). However, the truth is that after this «fantasy of the Cup», his form plummeted and now occupies last place in Series A of the Portuguese Championship, appearing more weakened than expected, although always motivated for a unique game for most of its sporting participants.
«Even though we know it’s difficult, we prepare the game to win. We want to be protagonists, press and react to the loss of the ball. Although with the awareness that Sporting has players who in seconds dismantle any opponent’s strategy”, said Fábio Oliveira, coach of Dumiense, in preview of the match.
Will we have a Cup in Alvalade? Or will the lion’s roar be too loud for the «modest» Dumiense?
#Cup #Alvalade #zerozero.pt