Ball – Amorim’s plan to attack the dragon (with eleven might be unprecedented) (Sporting)

The lion will play… when attacking. Forced to score at least two goals in Estádio do Dragão to entertain hopes of eliminating FC Porto and attending the Portuguese Cup final – in the first leg in which Sporting, in Alvalade, lost 1-2 – is a strategic Ruben Amorim, in the academy, focused on Offensive class, even taking into account, BOLA, re-release, found, simultaneously, Slimani and Paulinho in the starting eleven.

Moreover, the changes in the starting lineup for Lion will be cross-cutting across all sectors of the team, compared to the eleven that played in the derby last Sunday, against Benfica. Starting from the very beginning with the defense, but always given the offensive career of the team, Luis Neto will make way for Matthews Reis, if the injunction stopping the penalty game for the Brazilian is confirmed, precisely because of the Brazilian’s last match. Black in Dragau (see pp. 2 and 3). The original side will play in the central trio, dropped to the left, allowing for greater side capacity, also adapted, where Nuno Santos will once again occupy this left lane, with full verticality.

Also in the midfield will move Ruben Amorim, looking forward. Manuel Ugarte, the substitute who was used with Benfica, will return to the starting line-up, at the expense of Balenha – the most positioned Portuguese midfielder, the young Uruguayan international with the most strength to carry the ball and reach the end zones.

Arriving on the offensive, the key new in Leonine 11 for tomorrow may be in Islam Al-Sulaimani. The Algerian international, remember, was also used as a substitute in the derby, having been left out of the squad for a match against Tondela, by technical selection.

“Throughout the week we realized he wasn’t at the level it needed to be an athlete. Basic things but very important. I’m sure Hugo Viana and the president trust me to lead the group and I also know that none of my players is a bad person: everyone can have weeks.” Bad and tomorrow they will be in training. It was not at the required level but next week it will be and that is the most important”, Robin Amorim justified at the time, promoting Slimani’s return to the squad for the match against Benfica.

But now, all eyes are really on the attack, and Ruben Amorim has tested Islam Slimani at the center of the attack, in the company of Paulinho and Sarabia. A formula, moreover, is not new: this is the trio that played in attack in Guimarães, against Vitoria, in the 27th round (3-1), as is the case with Manchester City, in the second leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League. Final (0-0).

Moreover, Slimani and Paulinho played at the same time with Moreirense (2-0), in the 26th round – Marcus Edwards accompanied the attacking duo – and with Maritimo (1-1), in the twenty-fourth round. – Nuno Santos completed the attack. Trident.

However, confirming the changes experienced by Ruben Amorim, the move to Dragao No. 11 would be unprecedented: because with Vitoria de Guimaraes Ricardo Esgaio was playing on the right wing, due to Boru’s injury, and with Manchester City Luis Neto appeared in the defensive trio and Bruno Tabata in the midfield .

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