Sporting CP Looks to Set the Tone at Home

This Thursday, Sporting CP will face Rio Ave in the first leg of the Taça de Portugal semifinals, aiming to take advantage on home soil and move closer to reaching the tournament’s grand final. The match will be held at the Estádio José Alvalade and can be watched LIVE on beIN SPORTS USA, starting at 3:15 p.m. ET.

The squad led by Rúben Amorim, one of the title favorites, is eager to return to a cup final after several recent disappointments. With talents like Pedro Gonçalves, Viktor Gyökeres, and Francisco Trincão, the Lisbon-based team has the firepower to make an early statement in the series.

Rio Ave Hopes to Shock on the Road

For Rio Ave, this semifinal represents a golden opportunity to make club history. Managed by Luís Freire, the team enters the tie as the underdog, but their performance in earlier rounds proves they can challenge stronger opponents. With players like Costinha, Fábio Ronaldo, and Leonardo Ruiz, Rio Ave hopes to take a valuable result back home.

The match is expected to be a tactical battle, with Sporting CP likely to dominate possession and pace, while Rio Ave focuses on counterattacks and efficiency in front of goal. The outcome of this leg will be crucial in shaping the fate of the series.

The game will be broadcast LIVE on beIN SPORTS USA, offering full coverage of the Taça de Portugal, including pre-match analysis and post-game reactions.

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