Pedro Gonçalves is one of Rúben Amorim's great 'weapons' for the 'attack' on Dragão on Sunday, when Sporting visits FC Porto and may even celebrate the early conquest of the national champion title. The lions' number 8 is in great shape, being able to sign the best season at an individual level, and has two great missions ahead, in addition, of course, to helping the green and white club to achieve the desired double. 

The first goal is to do what he has never managed to do in the four times he has traveled to Estádio do Dragão: score. In 10 games against FC Porto, Pote managed to score two goals, one for Sporting and another for Famalicão, but none of them happened at the home of the blue and whites. 

Besides, on the four occasions when he stepped on the pitch of Estádio do Dragão, three of them with the lions' jersey, Pedro Gonçalves was always a starter, but always failed to successfully target the rival's nets. In addition, the Portuguese international also does not know what it is like to win in the same stronghold, accumulating a balance of one draw and three defeats. 

If he scores at Estádio do Dragão, putting an end to this bad luck at the same time, Pote will reach 19 goals this season, being just one more away from equaling the best goal record in his career. However, in the chapter of assists, the 25-year-old winger has already surpassed his personal best, counting, with five games still to play, 15 assists. 

Euro'2024 in mind 

Another element very present in Pedro Gonçalves' mind is the European Championship, a national team competition that starts next June in Germany. Roberto Martínez's arrival at the helm of Portugal was not synonymous with great opportunities, as had happened with Fernando Santos, but the (overwhelming) data at Sporting's service demand another look from the national coach. 

It is true that competition abounds in the national team, with several names that are currently in the front line of European football, but Pote remains focused on convincing everyone that he can have his space among those called up to represent Portugal on German soil. 

It is worth remembering that despite not being frequently called up by Fernando Santos, who only used him in two friendly games, Pedro Gonçalves was part of the group of 26 Portuguese players who were in Qatar, at the service of the national team, which would end up defeated in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, at the hands of Morocco. 

Leia Também: Sol no Dragão e chuva na Luz. Quão provável é o Sporting ser campeão já? (Portuguese version)