The ‘lions’, two-time national champions, are looking for the ninth final of the competition, against the Guimarães, who are competing for the third time in the ‘semi-finals’ of the most recent national competition, in a match that will be refereed by Luís Godinho, from the Évora association.
The two teams will face each other again 15 days after the ‘green and whites’ prevailed, 4-1, in the I League, and drew at Gil Vicente’s ground (1-1), while the Guimarães beat Nacional (2-1).
Gonçalo Inácio, suspended, and Ricardo Mangas, due to injury, are the most recent additions to the large group of absences (Geovany Quenda, Geny Catamo, Diomande, Debast, Pedro Gonçalves, Nuno Santos, Daniel Bragança and Salvador Blopa) in the options of the ‘Leonine’ coach, Rui Borges, while the Victorian coach, Luís Pinto, will still not be able to count on Gustavo Silva.
Sporting and Vitória de Guimarães have already faced each other twice in the competition, both ended by two ‘green and white’ successes, the first on penalties (7-6, after 0-0) in 2007/08 and the most recent 2-0, in Minho, in the 2014/15 group stage.
The winner of the third match will play in the final, on Saturday, starting at 8:00 pm, also at the Dr. Magalhães Pessoa Stadium, against the winner of the semi-final between Benfica, record holder of victories with eight titles, and Sporting de Braga, three-time winner of the competition, scheduled for Wednesday, also in Leiria.
‘Lions’ in Under Overload
The sports coach, Rui Borges, in previewing the game he will play against Vitória Sport Clube for the semi-finals of the League Cup, talks about a complicated period in which there is an accumulation of games.
“We have entered the ‘red line’ of muscle injuries. I hope that more solutions will appear to help us”, stated the Leonine coach.
There are several players recovering from injuries and the coach wants to manage the squad.
“It’s going to be a very intense month, with a lot of games, and we don’t have all these solutions. Let’s hope they return as soon as possible. More than giving us more solutions, it takes away some of the burden on many players.”
Regarding the opponent, the Lions’ coach assured that Sporting is focused, expecting a “totally different” match in relation to the 4-1 victory in the Guimarães stronghold, in December, for the I League.
“Vitória de Guimarães will want to compete in the final, due to its mass membership and the greatness of the club. It will be a competitive and different game, at times more calculated. It will demand a lot from us, but, within what we have available, we will put on a competent match”, he highlighted.
Vitória presents herself in Leiria with “respect and courage”
“Respect and courage” against Sporting. This is how the team from Guimarães will present itself in the semi-final of the Football League Cup. The ‘founders’ coach also wants to improve the mentality displayed in the championship game.
The coach recalled the defeat against the ‘lions’, 4-1, in the 15th round of the Portuguese First League, on December 23, 2025, and considered that his pupils need to improve mentally in Leiria, in the opening of the ‘final four’ of the League Cup.
“Our way of being must always be ‘win or win’. We have to enter with respect and courage. We have to understand the moments of the game, to understand the quality of the other team, which is very high. We have to know how to attack, know how to defend, know how to navigate, know how to respect. Mindset will make a difference. We want an ‘upgrade’ given our mentality at the start of the championship game”, he said, previewing the challenge scheduled for 8pm.
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