São Paulo boost squad as striker returns, near full strength | OneFootball

São Paulo has made new strides in recent days and is getting closer to clearing the medical department. With André Silva's clearance and only one player in the final stage of recovery, the Tricolor is closer to having a full squad for the remainder of the season.

André Silva has recovered from a severe right knee injury suffered in August last year. The player completed the physical transition period last Monday and has been training with the group without restrictions since then.

The forward, however, is not expected to be listed to face Coritiba this Wednesday, as he has only participated in two activities with the squad. The Tricolor is also cautious not to rush the athlete's return and risk a recurrence of the injury.

André Silva is even a doubt for the Paulista semifinal. São Paulo will face Palmeiras at Arena Barueri, which has a synthetic pitch. The player may thus be preserved.

Currently, the only players still in recovery are goalkeeper Carlos Coronel (surgery to remove a kidney stone) and forward Ryan Francisco. The youngster tore his anterior cruciate ligament and suffered a meniscus injury in his left knee, necessitating surgery. The forward also took a new step last Tuesday and began the physical transition.

Ryan was discharged from physiotherapy and started the transition process with physical preparation. The forward went to the field at SuperCT for specific exercises on the pitch. However, according to Rui Costa, São Paulo's football executive, there is still no set date for the young athlete's return.

With André Silva's return, the imminent comeback of Ryan Francisco, and Coronel's not-so-severe condition, São Paulo is getting closer to putting all the human resources available in the hands of coach Hernán Crespo, something unprecedented in this second stint.

Changes in the Medical Department and No Injuries in 2026

After the wave of injuries in 2025, where São Paulo faced enormous difficulties due to the number of absences, the club decided to make changes in the medical and physiotherapy departments. Several professionals were dismissed, while others were brought in as replacements.

In total, two new doctors, three physiotherapists, one physiologist, two physical trainers, two masseurs, a sports scientist, and a podiatrist were hired.

The changes seem to have had an effect on the day-to-day at SuperCT. So far, São Paulo has not recorded new injuries this season. Some players have suffered traumas, pains, or overloads, like Luciano and Bobadilla, for example, but no injuries have been detected.

The technical staff's work on managing players' minutes has also been important. Amid a tight schedule, Crespo and the other professionals have adopted a rotation system at the start of the year, especially at the beginning of the Campeonato Paulista.

This system is expected to be present in this Wednesday's match against Coritiba in the Brazilian Championship. With the Paulista semifinal in sight, it is likely that Crespo will field a mixed team.

Standings Situation

São Paulo is in good form and has yet to lose in the Brazilian Championship. The Tricolor team occupies second place in the standings, with seven points — two wins and one draw so far, just like Palmeiras, which leads due to goal difference.

Upcoming São Paulo Matches

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