São Paulo line-up: Crespo settles defence, tries Rodriguinho up front | OneFootball

São Paulo landed in Ecuador early Wednesday evening (17th) to begin the quarter-final decision of the Copa Libertadores against LDU. The first leg takes place at 7 PM (Brasília time) this Thursday (18th) in Quito.

Due to logistics, as AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR revealed, the delegation traveled directly to the Ecuadorian capital and only had an activation session at the hotel.

As a result, all of coach Hernán Crespo's decisions regarding the Tricolor's lineup were made during Tuesday's (16th) training at the Barra Funda training center.

Considering all the players who traveled for the match, Crespo will have two important returns: forwards Luciano and Ferreirinha. The first served a suspension for a third yellow card in the victory over Botafogo in the Brazilian Championship at Morumbi over the weekend. The second was rested due to discomfort in his left adductor.

According to the fans' expectations, the problem is solved, as both players are considered absolute starters for Tricolor and could easily form the attacking duo.

But reality might be different, as coach Hernán Crespo had been working on before the trip to Ecuador. Perhaps because Ferreirinha is not 100% recovered and physically fit, solutions were tested.

The most coherent and logical option is the inclusion of Rigoni in this supposed vacancy left by Ferreirinha. This was one of the alternatives tested by Crespo, showing his confidence in the compatriot repatriated in the last transfer window.

But there is room for surprises. One of them, as the coach tested this week, was using Rodriguinho as a second forward. In this alternative, Pablo Maia joined the team, and Marcos Antônio played in a more advanced role as a playmaker.

Uncertainties in the offensive sector, certainties in the defensive. In all preparatory activities for the match, Crespo defined the defensive trio with Ferraresi and Arboleda, whose positions were slightly threatened by the good performances of Rafael Tolói and Sabino against Botafogo.

The probable São Paulo team should be formed by Rafael; Ferraresi, Alan Franco, and Arboleda; Cédric Soares, Bobadilla, Marcos Antônio, Rodriguinho, and Enzo Díaz; Ferreirinha (Rigoni or Pablo Maia) and Luciano.

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