Crespo: Injuries and poor form are a team issue, not medical staff | OneFootball

Coach Hernán Crespo chose not to place exclusive blame on São Paulo’s medical department for the number of injuries in the squad this season. After losing Marcos Antônio and Pablo Maia, the Argentine coach knows that changes will be needed for 2026, but everything should be discussed at the end of the Brasileirão.

“I think the problem is much bigger than the medical department. We are all to blame in situations like this. It’s something regular, that has been happening for years. It’s something we have to resolve. I think it’s a general issue. When you concede a goal, it’s not just the defense’s fault. The doctors, the physiotherapists, the coaching staff, the players, everyone tries to do their best. These things happen. Right now, we have to stay calm, and when the season ends, try to see where we can improve,” he commented.

In his first stint at São Paulo, in 2021, Crespo also endured a series of injuries in his squad after the Paulista Championship. At the time, the coach was even pointed out as one of those responsible for the physical problems for having taken the State Championship too seriously, focusing exclusively on winning the tournament instead of managing his players’ workload for the rest of the season.

“I have a lot of work ahead of me, that’s the point. We need order. Here are the players, coaching staff, medical department, and board. Order. Each one has to take their own responsibility and each one will answer for what they were hired to do. I’m not a fan, I’ve learned to love São Paulo, but I have a lot of respect for the fans. I’m not going to speak as a fan, nor as president. I don’t think that’s right,” he continued.

This Saturday, in the defeat to Red Bull Bragantino, São Paulo took the field with no fewer than 11 absences, many of them considered starters, such as Marcos Antônio, Pablo Maia, Calleri, and Oscar – Ryan Francisco, André Silva, Luan, Dinenno, Leandro, Wendell, and Rodriguinho complete the list.

“The whole club is better than it was four years ago. Is it up to the level of what São Paulo should be? No,” concluded the Argentine coach.

Now, São Paulo turns its focus to the derby against Corinthians, on November 20, at 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time), at Neo Química Arena, for the 34th round of the Brasileirão. The Tricolor will have an 11-day break to rest, train, and recover some of the injured players in preparation for the Majestoso and a possible spot in the Pre-Libertadores.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.