Sporting CP head coach Rui Borges confirmed that defenders Gonçalo Inácio and midfielder Morten Hjulmand suffered sprains during the Taça de Portugal semifinal second leg against FC Porto, which ended in a 0-0 draw and secured the Lions’ place in the final.
Speaking to Bola na Rede after the match at Estádio do Dragão on April 22, 2026, Borges said the injuries were a factor in his substitution decisions but praised the squad’s resilience despite the setbacks.
“Orgulhoso do que a equipa foi capaz. Fomos melhores com bola na primeira parte, o FC Porto na segunda. Fomos caindo em termos físicos, natural pela época, mas a equipa manteve um espírito enorme. Sabíamos que tínhamos de sofrer em alguns momentos. Com todos os infortúnios, a lesão do Inácio e Hjulmand, duas entorses, condicionaram substituições. Pelo espírito do grupo, merecem muito estar na final,” Borges stated.
The coach emphasized that the team’s unity and mental strength allowed them to overcome adversity, noting that Sporting had previously won matches without key players including Inácio, Hjulmand, and Luis Suárez.
“Já jogámos sem o Morten [Hjulmand], sem o [Gonçalo] Inácio, sem o Luis [Suárez] e ganhámos na mesma, com maior ou menor dificuldade. Perde-se algumas coisas, ganha-se outras, é futebol. Por isso é que digo sempre que nunca me lamento, porque começo sempre com onze e, cada um à sua maneira, todos vão cumprir,” he added, reflecting on the squad’s depth.
Borges similarly addressed criticism from Napoli coach Francesco Farioli, who had complained about Sporting’s time-wasting tactics during their UEFA Champions League encounter. The Sporting head coach dismissed the remarks with a wry retort.
“Palavras de Farioli? Nada. Deve-se ter esquecido das bolas e das toalhas,” Borges said, suggesting the Napoli coach had lost focus on the essentials of the game.
The confirmation of injuries to Inácio and Hjulmand raises concerns about their availability for the Taça de Portugal final against FC Porto, scheduled for May 25, 2026, at the Estádio Nacional in Jamor. Both players have been instrumental in Sporting’s campaign, with Inácio serving as a defensive leader and Hjulmand anchoring the midfield.
Sporting’s path to the final included victories over lower-tier sides and a hard-fought semifinal triumph over Porto, where they advanced on away goals after a 1-1 aggregate draw. The first leg, played at Estádio José Alvalade, ended in a 1-1 tie, with Geovany Quenda scoring for Sporting and Iván Jaime responding for Porto.
Throughout the season, Borges has rotated his squad to manage fatigue and injuries, often crediting the team’s collective effort for maintaining competitiveness across multiple fronts. The Lions remain in contention for the Primeira Liga title and have already secured qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League group stage.
As the club prepares for the Taça de Portugal final, medical staff will assess the extent of Inácio’s and Hjulmand’s sprains. No official timetable for their return has been released, but Borges expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to adapt.
“É bom porque a época tem sido boa. O grupo merece o reconhecimento pela grande época. Está mais difícil o campeonato, Champions fantástica da nossa parte, não ficámos aquém de ninguém, campeonato ainda na luta e uma final da Taça. Engrandese o Sporting, queremos estar até ao fim a lutar pelos troféus,” he concluded.
Sporting CP will next train at their Alcochete academy ahead of the final, with updates on player availability expected in the coming days. Fans can follow official club channels for confirmed team news and match details.
