Reigning champions Sporting and Portuguese Cup winners Porto will meet this Saturday in Aveiro in the 46th edition of the Candido de Oliveira Super Cup, which will be the official start of the 2024/25 season.
In the 250th direct encounter, the Leonine team is looking to win its 10th trophy and isolate itself again in second place in the ranking, after Benfica achieved it in 2023, beating Porto 2-0, the undisputed “king” of the competition with 23 prizes.
The Dragons have more trophies than all other teams combined (22), but have never beaten Sporting, who have won the four editions in which they have met Porto (1994–95, 1999–00, 2006–07 and 2007–08), with a record of four wins and four draws.
The encounter marks the official debut of former assistant Vitor Bruno as Porto head coach, replacing Sergio Conceição, who spent seven wonderful seasons at the Dragão, while Ruben Amorim prepares for his sixth season at Alvalade and his 17th duel with the Dragons, with Sporting having won only two of 14.
If they win, the Dragons will guarantee a 24th Super Cup and also once again distinguish themselves as the Portuguese club with the most trophies – in a blind count that equates the Champions League with the League Cup – with 86, leaving Benfica behind (85).
As for the eleven, Sporting, who still have Swedish striker Victor Gyökeres in their ranks, should present an eleven that is already close to what will be the basis for the 2024/25 season, unlike Porto, given the late arrival of many international players.
Due to suspensions and injuries, Ruben Amorim, who could play as a reinforcement for Kovacevic and Debast, will be without Nuno Santos, Saint-Just and Matheus Reis, while Vitor Bruno will be without the long-injured Marcano and Zaida.
The absence of the great leaders of the two teams is also evident in the 2023/24 season, since Uruguayan Coates has left Sporting and Porto will be without Pepe, whose contract, at the end of which, was not invited to renew by the new President André Villas: Good.
The match between Sporting and Porto is scheduled for Saturday at 20:15 at the Municipal Stadium of Aveiro, which is hosting the competition for the 14th time in the last 16 years, with referee João Pinheiro of the Braga Football Association.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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