Sporting and Porto compete in the Portuguese Cup final today as the Lions attempt to achieve the double and the Dragons look to celebrate their third consecutive season at the National Stadium.
After winning the First League, Sporting can achieve the double for the seventh time, for the first time since the 2001/02 season, under Romanian Laszlo Boloni, while Porto tries to salvage the season under Sergio. Conceição is trying to become only the third coach to win four Portuguese Cups, joining the historic Otto Gloria (three with Benfica and one with Belenenses) and José Maria Pedroto (two with Porto and two with Boavista).
The Dragons can reach the 20th Portuguese Cup in their history, the third in a row and the fourth in the last five seasons, while the Lions are trying to win their 18th, the first since the 2018/19 season, having achieved it in the final against FC Porto, in which the Lisbon team won on penalties.
At Sporting, young goalkeeper Diogo Pinto will start in the starting line-up due to injuries to Spaniard Adan and Uruguayan Franco Israel, while Mozambican Zhenya Catamo has recovered and could become Ruben Amorim’s choice.
Centre-back Pepe, recently called up for Euro 2024, is conspicuously absent despite having recovered from injury in a match that marks Pinto da Costa’s farewell as SAD president and Andre Villas-Boas’s debut as national team leader. Club Porto at the National Stadium.
The Portuguese Cup final is scheduled for 17:15 and will be refereed by Fabio Verissimo of the Leiria Football Association.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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