São Paulo face free-falling Internacional, relegation fears grow | OneFootball

After the harsh 6-0 defeat to Fluminense last Thursday, São Paulo tries to turn the page and finish the Brazilian Championship with some dignity. The team is already focusing on their next match against Internacional, an opponent under immense pressure and going through a very delicate moment in the competition.

The 5-1 defeat to Vasco pushed Internacional into the relegation zone, leaving the team in 17th position. The Colorado has ten wins, 11 draws, and 15 losses, with a performance rate of 37.96%. Throughout the competition, they scored 41 goals but conceded 53.

The scenario is even more worrying when looking at their performance in the second half of the season: in 17 matches, Inter gathered only 17 points, with four wins, five draws, and eight losses. They are ahead of only Sport, already relegated, which has eight points in the second half.

Negative streak and change in command

Besides the disastrous result against Vasco, Internacional has won only two of the last ten matches in the Brasileirão and sees the risk of relegation becoming increasingly real. The immediate response was the dismissal of Ramón Díaz and the return of Abel Braga, called to try to lead the team to a late but still possible comeback in the final two rounds.

Balanced record

Photo: MAILSON SANTANA/FLUMINENSE FC

In the history against Abel Braga, balance prevails. In 24 encounters, Tricolor won six times, lost nine, and drew nine — a 50% performance against the coach.

The most recent memory, however, is not good for the São Paulo team. In 2021, also under Abel's command, Internacional thrashed São Paulo 5-1 at Morumbi.

What is São Paulo fighting for?

São Paulo is still aiming to maintain the eighth position, which could become valuable if the G8 opens up. If Fluminense or Cruzeiro win the Copa do Brasil, the eighth place will inherit a spot in the Pre-Libertadores. This is the only scenario in which Tricolor secures qualification for the continental tournament.

Next match

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