Sunday is the day of the Lisbon derby between Sporting and Benfica, in Alvalade. Before the expected match, Rui Borges stated that the ‘lions’ still believe in their third championship and what, that’s why, vto the “to do everything to win”. On the other hand, José Mourinho sees the duel as a vital game in the search for second place in the championship, ensuring that, for these games, no extra motivation is needed.
Very important, but not decisive: this is how Rui Borges looks at the classic.
Sporting comes to this game more tired and with the emotional weight of having lost a historic classification, but now it’s time to look forward.
Sporting is looking for its first championship victory of the season against its rivals with the knowledge that the task will not be easy.
Fresneda and João Simões are in doubt for the classic and Nuno Santos, Ioannidis and Luís Guilherme, who continue to recover from injuries.
The Alvalade derby is far from being a unique experience for José Mourinho, who has already experienced derbies in several countries, so motivation for the game is not a concern.
Benfica has not yet recorded any defeat in the championship
Benfica enters the 30th round of the championship without losing a single game, an impressive record, but muffled by the nine draws recorded. If Mourinho could change, he would, he guarantees.
Every week news appears linking Mourinho to other clubs and the coach’s responses about continuity have not closed the issue. However, they have shown moments of good humor and this Saturday’s preview was no different, but the coach did not guarantee that it will stay.
The only certainty is of that this Sunday there is a game in Alvalade. Mourinho can now count on Aursnes 100% and with Tomás Araújo, who recovered from injury.
Benfica will try what they haven’t done since 2022: win at home to Sporting.
