Sporting coach Ruben Amorim blocked SSPiñán's departure to Benfica during the January transfer window. The Ecuadorian was wanted by Benfica to strengthen the left defensive sector, but the lions' coach did not want to do without the player.
With the door closed for Estupiñán, Benfica looked for alternatives on the market and found SSPiñán as a solution to fill the need at left-back.
El Karouani ended up being the player chosen by Benfica to fill that position, after the failed negotiations for Estupiñán.
Amorim's decision not to let the Ecuadorian leave shows the importance the player has in Sporting's tactical scheme, even with competition from other players in the position.
