Derby line-up: full-back doubtful as Roger eyes Lucas replacement | OneFootball

São Paulo held the first of two training sessions on Thursday (19th) focusing on the derby against Palmeiras, which will be played at Morumbi starting at 9 PM (Brasília time) on Saturday (21st).

The São Paulo delegation returned from Belo Horizonte (MG) during the early hours, right after the 1-0 defeat to Atlético-MG away from home, and the training at the Barra Funda CT took place in the afternoon.

The players who had the most playing time in the game followed the recovery schedule, with activities in the gym. The others went to the field for exercises guided by Roger Machado and his assistants.

After the warm-up, the coaching staff led a ball possession activity in a small space, aimed at progressing under opponent pressure with a limited number of touches per player. Following this, there was a game on a reduced field.

Right-back Lucas Ramon, who was rested from the trip to Belo Horizonte due to accumulated fatigue, participated in part of the activities with his teammates and completed a physical preparation session. In this second phase, he was joined by forward Ryan, who is in the transition phase after surgery on his left knee.

São Paulo is the runner-up in the Brazilian Championship, with the same 16 points as Palmeiras, and will have great support from the fans: more than 43,000 tickets have already been sold for the derby.

Midfielder Lucas, who suffered fractures in two ribs during the game against Atlético-MG, returned to São Paulo (SP) with the delegation after undergoing imaging tests and clinical evaluation at Hospital Mater Dei in Belo Horizonte, where he was taken immediately after leaving the field.

The number 7 remained on home rest this Thursday.

Without Lucas, coach Roger Machado has two options to form the São Paulo team. He can either opt for Cauly, who naturally plays as an attacking midfielder, or take a chance with Tapia or Ferreirinha, adopting three forwards.

A potential lineup for Tricolor might be Rafael; Lucas Ramon (Maik), Alan Franco, Sabino, and Enzo Díaz; Danielzinho, Bobadilla, Marcos Antônio, and Cauly (Ferreirinha or Tapia); Luciano and Calleri.

The activity that concludes the preparation for the Choque-Rei of the eighth round of the Brazilian Championship will be held on the morning of this Friday (20th).

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