New board’s debut: São Paulo held by rivals Corinthians late on in derby | OneFootball

The departure of Julio Casares from the presidency seems to have given São Paulo a new motivational boost. And, on the second day of Harry Massis Júnior as the tricolor’s president, the Morumbi club ended up with a draw in Itaquera.

On Sunday afternoon (18), São Paulo put on a consistent performance, far from the optimism and intensity shown in midweek, but enough to secure a 1-1 draw with their biggest rival, Corinthians, in the classic match valid for the third round of the Campeonato Paulista.

The result is, to a certain extent, positive, as it celebrates the new phase of hope the Tricolor is experiencing with the change in presidency and the fans’ expectation that the team will leave the police headlines behind and start appearing as a protagonist in sports columns. But, of course, it leaves a bitter taste for conceding the equalizer almost in stoppage time.

The redeeming goal in Itaquera was scored by Tapia. At 28 minutes into the first half, Danielzinho broke free at speed down the left wing and crossed perfectly for the Chilean to rise and head the ball into the net.

For those who had grown used to coach Hernán Crespo and his rigid schemes, usually variations of the 3-5-2, there was another surprise—once again, he changed everything. After the 4-3-3 in midweek, he now opted for a traditional 4-4-2, with Lucas once again as the creative pillar, giving the full-backs freedom to run the flanks, and Luciano and Tapia up front.

In some ways, it worked. The team seemed to understand the tactical game plan and behaved well, despite struggling with build-up and articulation. Without the escape routes they had against São Bernardo, they were somewhat pragmatic, but functional, especially playing away from home.

Two factors complicated São Paulo’s plans. First, the refereeing by João Vitor Gobi, who started out trying to impose excessive discipline, handing out yellow cards (all to São Paulo, in fact). When he realized he might end up sending someone off in the first half, he changed his approach. And he favored the home team, who abused fouls and bravado while the referee, unprepared for a game of this magnitude, remained inert.

The second complicating factor was the uninspired defensive display by some players. In defense, Arboleda started the game below par and complicated several plays, as did a certain lack of consistency in the defensive midfield line ahead of the back four.

Fortunately, there was some determination to overcome problems on the field and impose themselves. But it’s clear that on the other side was an opponent pushed on by their fans, who had the best chances and maintained dominance in possession, constantly pressing while São Paulo rarely appeared in attack and only on unmotivated breakaways.

In the second half, this was the main theme: a home side pinned back against a visitor who didn’t want to attack. Crespo even made changes to try to find offensive escape mechanisms, such as bringing on Ferreirinha. But the writing was on the wall. In the 44th minute, Matheus Pereira found Pedro Raul in the box. He controlled the ball, played as a pivot, and laid it off for Breno Bidon to shoot from the edge of the area and beat Rafael.

The result keeps the team out of the qualifying zone for the knockout stage of the State Championship. They are in ninth place, with four points. On Wednesday (21), at 7:30 pm (Brasília time), there’s another classic: Portuguesa, at Morumbi.

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