São Paulo: Crespo adds Cotia trio, loses top scorer to injury | OneFootball

After a day off on Sunday (25), the São Paulo squad returned on Monday morning (26) at the Barra Funda training center to begin preparations for their debut match in the Brasileirão this midweek.

The Tricolor has a match against Flamengo, scheduled for 9:30 PM (Brasília time) this Wednesday (28) at Morumbi, for the opening round of the Brazilian Championship.

The day's work at the training center began under the guidance of the fitness coaches, who proposed a series of mobility exercises. Following that, on the field, there was a technical activity and a small-sided game.

REINFORCEMENTS IN MIDFIELD AND FROM THE YOUTH TEAM

Recovered from a right adductor injury, midfielder Luan was cleared by the fitness staff after completing his transition and participated in the entire training session with his teammates.

Left-back Nicolas, midfielder Pedro Ferreira, and forward Paulinho returned to the training center after playing in the Copinha final, where they lost 2-1 to Cruzeiro on Sunday morning (25).

TOP SCORER SIDELINED

Nicolas and Pedro Ferreira performed recovery exercises, while Paulinho, who left the game with pain in his left knee, was evaluated by the medical department and sent for an imaging exam and consultation with Dr. Moisés Cohen at the Einstein Israelite Hospital.

The Tricolor's top scorer in the Copinha was diagnosed with a ligament strain and has already started conservative treatment at Reffis Plus. The club did not disclose the severity of the injury. If it's mild, the recovery time is one to three weeks. However, if the injury is severe, Paulinho could be out of action for up to three months.

With a heavy schedule of games ahead, between the Brasileirão and Paulistão, Hernán Crespo already has to plan who plays and who rests against Flamengo. In the last match against Palmeiras, Lucas was not listed, and Calleri played only in the final minutes. Thus, they are expected to be starters on Wednesday.

A probable São Paulo lineup could include Rafael; Maik (Cédric), Arboleda, Alan Franco, and Enzo Díaz (Wendell); Bobadilla (Pablo Maia), Marcos Antônio, and Danielzinho, Lucas, Luciano (Ferreirinha or Dória), and Calleri. The Argentine coach may also vary the formation and return to a 3-5-2, adding another defender to the team.

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