Overview
- Porto coach Francesco Farioli said Tuesday the team believes it can overturn the deficit and confirmed Martim Fernandes is available while Zaidu misses out.
- The semi-final second leg kicks off Wednesday at 20:45 at the Dragão, where Sporting travel with a 1–0 lead from the first meeting and organized guidance for about 2,500 away fans.
- Porto’s medical updates this week included Nehuén Pérez returning to training with limitations and Zaidu diagnosed with a right-ankle sprain after coming off against Tondela.
- Sporting lost right back Iván Fresneda for the rest of the season, a setback that likely pushes Eduardo Quaresma to continue covering the flank.
- The tie follows Sunday’s 2–1 derby win for Benfica at Alvalade, decided in stoppage time, with ongoing scrutiny of two penalty sequences that raised questions about encroachment and potential retakes.