São Paulo line-up: Dorival Jr. boosted by Pablo Maia for Botafogo | OneFootball

With midfielder Pablo Maia available again after recovering from surgery to repair fractures to his nose and face, São Paulo wrapped up preparations this Friday (22) for the match against Botafogo.

The Tricolor hosts the Rio de Janeiro side on Saturday afternoon (23), at 5 p.m. (Brasília time), at Morumbi, in a match valid for the 17th round of the Brazilian Championship.

The São Paulo midfielder worked on his fitness and trained normally with his teammates in recent days after undergoing the surgical procedure on April 10. And he could once again help his old partner Dorival Júnior on the field.

This final day of preparation at the Barra Funda training center for the clash with the Rio de Janeiro team began with the players watching a video presentation shown by the coaching staff.

Work on the pitch then started with a warm-up featuring technical drills and acceleration exercises led by the fitness staff.

Next, coach Dorival Júnior also oversaw an 11-v-11 tactical session, giving instructions and simulating game situations, during which he defined the starting lineup.

There was also positional work with the players expected to start the match. Finally, the team carried out an attacking and defensive set-piece session.

If São Paulo will have Pablo Maia back, they will also be without three players due to suspension: full-back Enzo Díaz, midfielder Bobadilla, and forward André Silva received their third yellow card against Fluminense in the last round and are definite absences for Dorival, in addition to the players already in the medical department. Marcos Antônio is also not expected to return yet.

Thus, a likely Tricolor lineup is: Rafael, Lucas Ramón, Alan Franco, Sabino and Wendell; Luan (Pablo Maia), Danielzinho and Luciano; Artur, Ferreirinha (Cauly) and Calleri.

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