Sporting CP Shift Focus to Taça de Portugal Amid Growing Injury Crisis

Sporting CP Shift Focus to Taça de Portugal Amid Growing Injury Crisis

LISBON – High-flying Sporting CP return to the Estádio José Alvalade tomorrow, Thursday, February 5, looking to secure a place in the Taça de Portugal semi-finals as they host AVS.

While the Leões enter the quarter-final clash on a blistering run of five consecutive wins across all competitions, manager Rui Borges faces a significant selection headache. The club confirmed today that several key starters will miss the tie, testing the depth of a squad that is currently fighting on three fronts.

The Current Form: A Season of Drama

Sporting has become the masters of the “late show” in recent weeks. Last Sunday, a 96th-minute backheel from Luis Javier Suárez secured a 2-1 victory over CD Nacional, keeping the club within four points of league leaders FC Porto.

This domestic momentum follows a historic week in Europe, where a 3-2 comeback against Athletic Club saw Sporting finish 7th in the Champions League league phase, earning a direct ticket to the Round of 16.

Injury Report: Defensive and Offensive Blows

Despite the winning streak, the treatment room at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo is filling up:

• Fotis Ioannidis: The Greek international remains sidelined with a knee injury.

• Geovany Quenda: The teenage sensation, who has been a revelation this season, is ruled out with a foot fracture.

• Zeno Debast: The Belgian defender is considered a “major doubt” after missing the last two matches.

• Inácio, Hjulmand, & Araújo: Recent reports suggest these three may also be rested or are carrying knocks, further thinning the spine of the team.

The Opponent: AVS Seeking an Upset

AVS arrives in Lisbon as the ultimate underdog. Currently struggling at the bottom of the Primeira Liga, the Vila das Aves side has found its only solace in the cup. They have yet to win a league game this season, but their path to the quarter-finals has been clinical, featuring three clean sheets in the previous rounds.

Manager Rui Borges warned his side against complacency:

“We won [against Nacional] through belief, but the Taça is a different beast. We have a historic objective this season, and that requires every player—whether they started the season in the XI or not—to be ready for tomorrow.”

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Match Details

• Match: Sporting CP vs. AVS

• Competition: Taça de Portugal (Quarter-Final)

• Kick-off: Thursday, Feb 5, 20:45 local time

• Venue: Estádio José Alvalade