São Paulo ratings: Artur's free-kick, Marcos Antonio stars, defence slips | OneFootball

São Paulo resumed their Brasileirão campaign this Wednesday (22) by giving their fans hope, with a good first half and a 1-0 lead over Athletico-PR. Then came the second half and a defensive collapse, as they conceded a comeback in five minutes, losing once again in the tournament, 2-1. Artur scored a beautiful free-kick goal, Marcos Antonio was the team’s standout player, but the dreadful second-half performance weighed heavily. See the ratings:

Rafael – 4.5 – Had very little to do in the first half, aside from coming out for a few aerial balls. Not at fault for the goals conceded and made few saves.

Lucas Ramon – 5.0 – Produced a good individual move in attack in the 11th minute and delivered a left-footed cross onto Calleri’s head. Had a good first half, offering an option down the right and winning his defensive duels. Got tangled up on a cross right after halftime and nearly scored an own goal on the equalizer for the Paraná side. Went off late on.

Arboleda – 5.0 – Received some boos from the fans before the match in his return debut, but had a solid first half, with five good defensive actions. Was left exposed on the opposition’s equalizer just seconds into the second half and dropped off afterward.

Rafael Tolói – 5.5 – Had little work early in the game, felt his thigh, and had to be substituted. Left the field after winning both of his duels, with one clearance and one tackle.

Wendell – 5.0 – Did well defensively in the first half, with tackles and ball recoveries. Also got forward and linked up well with Marcos Antonio. Tried an off-target shot late in the game and, like the whole team, saw his level drop.

Pablo Maia – 4.5 – Misplaced few passes and did his defensive job well, with one tackle and three more ball recoveries. Won most of his ground duels in the opening half. Made a poor pass right after the start of the second half, which led to the opposition goal. On the go-ahead goal, he fell in the box during the corner. Shortly after, he tried a long-range shot without much power. Was replaced by Ferreirinha.

Bobadilla – 5.0 – Playing as the right-sided defensive midfielder, he did not stand out much in the first half. Remained quiet in the second and was replaced by Danielzinho in the 29th minute.

BEST PLAYER: Marcos Antonio – 6.5 – Started well, dictating play from the left side of midfield. Produced a lovely chest control for Calleri to turn and shoot near the end of the first half. He was São Paulo’s maestro in the opening half, even drifting wide many times. Set Luciano up one-on-one with the keeper 10 minutes into the second half. He was the only one who kept trying something different, while also working hard defensively.

Luciano – 4.5 – Moved around a lot in the first half, but achieved little, misplacing passes and crosses. Still, he was important in winning the ball back. Had a clear chance in front of goal in the 10th minute of the second half, but shot straight at the goalkeeper. It was not his day.

Artur – 6.0 – Took the free kick brilliantly in the 18th minute, finding the top corner to give Tricolor the lead. He also felt some pain in the first half, did not need to come off, but his intensity dropped. Still, he was an important attacking piece before halftime. Fell off sharply in the second half.

Calleri – 5.5 – Had a good aerial chance early on from Ramon’s cross, but headed poorly. Then, in the 40th minute of the first half, he received the ball in the box, turned, and hit a powerful shot toward the corner, but wide. Won the free kick that led to Artur’s goal. Disappeared in the second half and was taken off for André Silva.

Osorio – 5.5 – The center-back developed at Cotia had to come on as early as the 22nd minute of the first half, replacing the injured Tolói. He was solid, winning most of his duels, but struggled with some of his build-up play. Did not let the team down.

Ferreirinha – 5.0 – Came on for Pablo Maia in the 18th minute of the second half. Had a few dribbles down the flank, but little end product, as usual.

André Silva – 4.5 – Replaced Calleri in the second half and barely touched the ball.

Danielzinho – No rating – Came on for Bobadilla late in the game. Changed nothing.

Victor Sá – No rating – The forward made his debut when he came on for Lucas Ramon in the 29th minute of the second half. He also could not turn things around.

Dorival Jr. – 5.0 – Set the team up with three midfielders and it worked, with Tricolor controlling the main action in the first half. He had to replace the injured Tolói with Osorio before halftime. In five minutes of the second half, he saw Tricolor throw away the lead. Shortly afterward, he sent on Ferreirinha and André Silva, made more changes, but watched São Paulo lose again.

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