Crespo: São Paulo better than Santos, praises team's attitude | OneFootball

Coach Hernán Crespo left the Vila Belmiro field with conflicting feelings after São Paulo's 1-1 draw against Santos on Wednesday, in the second round of the Brazilian Championship. The coach explained the reasons for the specific changes in the initial lineup, such as Marcos Antônio and Luciano on the bench, and valued the point gained, but also felt that the team produced enough to leave the field with a victory.

“I think the particular situation in this case was Marcos Antônio and Luciano. Due to their sequence, they were not 100%. But everyone at this moment is fine, those who came in also made a difference. I think the group can have changes, play with a line of four or three, accumulate protagonists, because the level of São Paulo is high. Playing against São Paulo is becoming difficult for everyone again, the group is aligned, strong, understood that they have to fight and play football. We have quality, the feeling of playing here... it's not easy, but at the same time, the feeling is that maybe we could have won. We played better, we were protagonists, but it's okay,” Crespo stated.

São Paulo created at least two opportunities in the first half, with a shot by Bobadilla saved by Brazão and a finish by Tapia that came very close to the goal. However, the Tricolor fell behind after Zé Rafael picked up the rebound from Rafael on a shot by Adonis Frías. In the second half, Crespo made changes, and the Tricolor managed to equalize.

“It's a shame about the draw because the feeling is that São Paulo played the best football. I think it created opportunities. Leaving Vila Belmiro against a tough opponent, on a difficult field, with these positive feelings, I think it's good. Now, let's see the future,” evaluated the coach.

The equalizing goal

Faced with the adverse result, Crespo saw the need for changes in the second half and made three substitutions at once around the 15th minute: Marcos Antônio, Luciano, and Lucas came in for Pablo Maia, Tapia, and Alan Franco. With this, São Paulo, which started the game with three defenders, returned to playing with a line of four in defense.

“I think these situations are very positive. Calleri scoring, Lucas doing something against Santos in Tapia's goal, we are already starting to see. It's important that they can have a sequence of training, playing time. The season is long, so it will be normal for them to show all their qualities. Naturally, they will play more minutes, but at this moment we have to be attentive with playing time. André Silva will return, Wendell and Enzo have returned. I think the group is doing well because regardless of the result, I already said against Palmeiras that I saw things starting to change, so I am very happy that the group is doing well, playing well,” said the coach.

It was precisely with the changes that the Tricolor managed to score the equalizing goal. Maik found a pass to Lucas, who went to the byline and crossed to the middle. Calleri rose with a header and beat the Santos defense, hitting the back of Brazão's net.

We can play like this, adapting the squad, all to particular situations, line of three, marking one way or another. Santos changed. They already played in a 4-4-2, we had the three defenders and had certain difficulties with the full-backs' exits. […] We created a three against two central. In the second half, we changed to a line of four because the result was not positive. In the changes, we talked equally in the construction phase, creating a line of three, with Marcos Antônio or Danielzinho to create width with Maik and Enzo. In the goal, a line of three, Maik takes advantage of Lucas's break and crosses for Calleri's goal. We are happy with these things from day one and, with difficult games, we will take advantage of them. It's the way São Paulo intends to play, at home and away,” concluded Crespo.

Standings situation

With the result, São Paulo reached its third game unbeaten, with two wins and a draw in the stretch. The Tricolor remains unbeaten in the Brazilian Championship and appears in fifth place, with four points from two matches.

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