Marchiori rues late goal, Primavera now eye Paulistão 2026 | OneFootball

While on one hand XV de Piracicaba left Barão da Serra Negra in a festive mood, on the other Primavera left with their heads down. After Fantasma’s runner-up finish in the Copa Paulista this Saturday, coach Rodrigo Marchiori lamented the result.

“There aren’t many words, I just have to thank the group. Regardless of the result, we achieved something unprecedented. It’s tough, because we wanted that spot (Série D), that title, but it’s a game of details. That last goal shouldn’t be conceded the way we did, it made the difference. It was a balanced, hard-fought, decisive match. It’s part of the game, we have to thank the board and the squad. But, of course, it takes time to digest,” said the coach in an exclusive interview with Gazeta Esportiva.

Focus on the Paulistão

Despite the sadness from the defeat, there is reason for hope. That’s because Primavera will compete in the Série A1 of the Paulistão for the first time in its history next year.

Coach Rodrigo Marchiori is putting Fantasma’s focus on the tournament and predicts a “double fight” for the team from Indaiatuba, newcomers, to remain in the State First Division.

“Now we’re going to sit down to talk and try to bring forward our return as soon as possible. And that depends a lot on the players we’re going to try to sign, whether it’s a player from Série B—Série B ends at the end of November. If there’s someone from Série A, it’s only in December. We have to organize ourselves as quickly as possible to think about the market, we were monitoring it,” he said.

“Now, we have to show the seriousness of the project in the best way possible, because the Campeonato Paulista has been shortened. And that makes it even harder for players with families, kids in school, right? Out of 11 or 12 dates, you play seven or eight games if you don’t advance to the next stage. Now, the fight is doubled to keep the team,” he added.

  See this photo on Instagram   A post shared by Primavera SAF (@ecprimaveraoficial)

When does the State Championship start?

With the change in the Brazilian football calendar, the 2026 Campeonato Paulista has been shortened. Now, with newcomer Primavera, the State Championship will have 11 match dates and is scheduled to take place between January 11 and March 8 next year.

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