Derby line-up: Crespo loses key man, trusts internationals vs Corinthians | OneFootball

Nothing is so bad that it can't get worse, right? In São Paulo, that's wrong.

Coach Hernán Crespo was celebrating the fact that attacking midfielder Rodriguinho had recovered from the pain that kept him out of the last three matches. But the player is out of the derby against Corinthians, at 7:30 PM (Brasília time) on Thursday (20th), in Itaquera, for the Brazilian Championship.

The reason for his absence, as has become routine this season, is due to clinical issues unrelated to physical injuries: Rodriguinho showed flu symptoms, was evaluated by doctors, and was diagnosed with bronchitis. He will be sidelined for the clash against the rival.

Rodriguinho will join Lucas, who is officially out for the season due to persistent pain.

Crespo still depends on one more medical evaluation to finalize the tricolor lineup. Ferraresi, Bobadilla, and Tapia will arrive in Brazil in the coming hours after representing their countries during this FIFA break. The trio will be assessed upon landing in São Paulo and may reinforce São Paulo in the derby.

The defender played in both of Venezuela's matches: in the 1-0 win over Australia, serving as captain, in Houston (USA), and in the loss to Canada (2-0), in Fort Lauderdale (USA).

Meanwhile, midfielder Bobadilla represented Paraguay in matches against the USA (1-2), in Chester (USA), and Mexico, in San Antonio (USA), scoring in the 2-1 victory over the Mexicans.

Finally, forward Tapia scored one of the goals in Chile's 2-0 win over Russia and participated in the come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Peru, both in Sochi (RUS).

The Tricolor has no fewer than 12 players in the medical department, three serving their national teams during the FIFA break, and one training with restrictions (Calleri).

The accumulation of problems led Crespo to pull four players from the decisive U-20 match against Fortaleza, for the Brazilian Cup in that category. Thus, Lucca, Nicolas, Pedro Ferreira, and Paulinho will be listed for the professional match and are expected to start on the bench.

The likely tricolor lineup for Itaquera will be Rafael; Rafael Tolói (Ferraresi), Alan Franco and Sabino; Maik (Cédric Soares), Luiz Gustavo, Pablo Maia, Bobadilla (Alisson) and Ferreirinha (Patryck); Tapia (Rigoni) and Luciano.

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