German goalkeeper Anna Wellmann is set to return for Sporting’s crucial UEFA Women’s Champions League second-leg match against Sweden’s Rosengard today, significantly boosting the Portuguese club’s prospects of advancing.
Wellmann’s inclusion in the 23-player squad marks her comeback from an injury sustained on August 23 during a pre-season friendly. She had been sidelined since then, with Catarina Potra stepping in as her replacement in goal.
Sporting enters the decisive fixture with a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg, played in Alcochete. The team aims to secure its place in the competition’s round of 16.
Despite the advantage, American left winger Madison Haugen expressed a cautious optimism. “We did an excellent job in the first leg, but anything can happen in football,” Haugen said. “We approach this second leg as if the first didn’t happen and we want to win again.”
Haugen, who recently played a key role in a 4-0 league victory, anticipates an aggressive approach from Rosengard. “They will probably try to be more proactive than other teams, to try and score against us,” she noted, adding, “but we want to come out with a clean sheet.”
Coach Micael Sequeira’s squad will still be without injured players Telma Encarnação, Miri O’Donell, and Andreia Bravo. Additionally, Ana Capeta and Joana Martins, though training without limitations, have not yet been recalled.
The team held its final training session on Monday at Malmö Idrottsplats in Sweden, the venue for today’s match, immediately after arriving in the country.