After serving punishment in the victory against Desportivo de Chaves (1-0), for the I Liga, the Portuguese international returns to the center of the ‘red’ defense, in exchange with Tomás Araújo, while the Danish replaces the Brazilian Arthur Cabral in the position spearhead.
Thus, the team coached by German Roger Schmidt will start the derby at Estádio da Luz with Trubin in goal, behind a defensive quartet formed by Bah, António Silva, Otamendi and Aursnes.
The Eagles’ midfield will be played by Florentino and João Neves, with Rafa, Dí Maria and David Neres more relaxed in support of Tengstedt.
Rúben Amorim made more changes, compared to the ‘eleven’ that beat Estrela da Amadora (2-1), for the championship, with the expected inclusions of Coates and Inácio in defense, Ricardo Esgaio on the right flank and Hjulmand in midfield , in the places of St. Juste, Matheus Reis, Geny Catamo and Morita, respectively.
This way, the goalkeeper will be Franco Israel, the defenders Diomande, Coates and Gonçalo Inácio, with the wings going to Ricardo Esgaio and Nuno Santos.
Daniel Bragança will remain in the midfield duo, now alongside Hjulmand, behind forwards Francisco Trincão, Paulinho and Viktor Gyökeres.
The ‘Leonine’ team only needs a draw at their rival’s ground, thanks to the goals scored by Pedro Gonçalves, in the ninth minute, and by the Swedish Gyökeres, in the 54th minute, to which the ‘Reds’ were only able to respond by the Norwegian Aursnes, in the 68th minute. , in the first leg match, played on February 29, at the José Alvalade Stadium.
The match between Benfica and Sporting starts at 8:45 pm, at Estádio da Luz, in Lisbon, and will be refereed by João Pinheiro, from the Braga Football Association.
On Wednesday, Vitória de Guimarães will host FC Porto in the first leg of the other semi-final, starting at 8:15 pm, with the second leg to be played at Estádio do Dragão, on April 17th.
AJC/CYP/DYRP // MO
