Eyes on Libertadores: São Paulo rest stars, lose to Santos | OneFootball

São Paulo’s focus was already quite clear with the starting lineup against Santos this Sunday (21), where Hernán Crespo did not repeat any of the starters who began the match against LDU in the Libertadores midweek. With a reserve squad at Vila Belmiro, Tricolor created very little, played poorly, and was defeated 1-0 in a match for the 24th round of the Brazilian Championship.

After the stumble away from home, the São Paulo team missed the chance to enter the Brasileirão’s G6, remaining in 7th place, with 35 points.

It was a weak performance from Tricolor, who in the first half saw their rivals take 12 shots in search of a goal, compared to just one attempt from São Paulo. The coastal team came closest to opening the scoring, but was stopped by good saves from goalkeeper Young.

The second half brought many changes from Crespo, but it was Santos who scored. The defense slipped and allowed Guilherme to rise and head the ball into the net. It simply wasn’t São Paulo’s day, as they failed to impose themselves and headed back up the hill with a poor performance in tow.

START WITH GOOD CHANCES

It was Ferreirinha who almost scored first, just 3 minutes in, breaking free on a counterattack, but pushing the ball too far ahead and colliding with goalkeeper Brazão, who cleared the danger from Santos’ area. Shortly after, it was Young’s turn to show he was alert for Tricolor, making a good save from a powerful shot by Rollheiser.

Time kept passing, and São Paulo couldn’t break through Santos’ defense. The rivals didn’t attack much either, with Tricolor’s defense well positioned, making the derby sluggish and lacking excitement. Crespo’s team circulated the ball, but couldn’t find gaps to create chances.

At the 35-minute mark of the first half, Young was called into action twice more and did very well. First, making a save in the corner after a shot from Guilherme, sending it out for a corner. From the set piece, Laurato Díaz rose for a strong header, but the São Paulo goalkeeper made an even more impressive save, preventing Santos’ goal.

With the home team dominant in the first half, both teams went into the break scoreless, with Peixe holding 57% possession and an impressive 12 shots on goal, compared to just one from Tricolor, according to Sofascore stats.

MANY CHANGES AND THEIR GOAL

Crespo returned from halftime with two substitutions, Bobadilla replacing Rodriguinho and Rigoni coming in for Dinenno. After 10 minutes, he made more changes, bringing on Luciano and Marcos Antonio for Luan and Ferreirinha. It had no effect, and it was the opponent who scored.

In an attacking move down the right, Rollheiser crossed into the box and found Guilherme unmarked between São Paulo’s defenders to tap in and open the scoring for Santos, 14 minutes into the second half. Soon after, Rigoni was played in inside the Santos area and shot, but Brazão made a good save.

The match opened up towards the end, and at 23 minutes Tiquinho Soares was through on Young, but shot well over the bar. Luciano, after a São Paulo aerial play, had little space to shoot and sent it wide. Tricolor tried to mount some pressure in stoppage time, even sending their goalkeeper into the box, but to no avail. End of the match, 1-0 at Vila Belmiro.

The challenge now is singular, the biggest of the year so far. São Paulo now prepares fully for next Thursday’s (25) match at Morumbi, against LDU, in the return leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals, after losing 2-0 in Ecuador. A win by three or more goals gives Tricolor the spot, while a two-goal victory takes the decision to penalties.

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