A BOLA – Balinese and Paulinho straight to eleven (Sporting)

Straw, Paulinho and … nine others. The Portugal international midfielder and striker is back in the Sporting squad, with a direct entry into the starting line-up for Ruben Amorim for tonight’s game, against Gil Vicente, in Barcelos.

It must be remembered that Joao Balenha suffered a muscle injury in the back area of ​​his right thigh in the match of the 12th round, in front of Tondela, after being substituted in the 67th minute. The derby against Benfica, the match with Ajax, the Champions League, the reception of Boavista, and the midweek match with Benafel failed of the League Cup.

At least another week of treatment was expected, but in the wake of the (1-0) win that sealed the Lions’ presence in the fourth League Cup final, Balinha is back. He did two training sessions at the academy, presented himself at 100% and was initially auditioned for the eleven planned by Robin Amorim. Paulinho is someone who didn’t go for a test at the age of 11 but is waiting, today, to test negative for Covid-19 to travel immediately to Barcelos. It must be remembered that the attacker tested positive for the new coronavirus upon the return of the lions from Holland, on the eighth, and was immediately isolated. Already asymptomatic, training at home, Paulinho is the tenth day of mandatory preventive isolation, and after he is discharged from the hospital, he travels immediately to join the training and start at night.

Read more in the print edition and Digital from the ball.