São Paulo ratings: Cédric, Maia, Arboleda errors, Ferreirinha can't save defeat | OneFootball

The 2-0 defeat of São Paulo to LDU on Thursday night (18) does not quite match what the team produced on the field. Despite a poor first half in Quito in the Libertadores match, they improved in the second half and created good scoring opportunities. Ferreirinha tormented and made spectacular plays in search of a tie. They ended up conceding two goals due to individual and defensive errors. Check out the disappointments of Tricolor, and who was saved:

Rafael – 5.5 – Not at fault for the first goal, which was beautiful, by LDU. Apart from the play, he didn't have much work, with easy balls, even a play in the last minutes. Estrada beat Arboleda, faced the goalkeeper, who performed another of his miracles to soften the defeat.

Ferraresi – 5.5 – Returned to the starting lineup. He embodied the forward on a descent at 22 minutes and took a long shot, over the top. In defense, he was the standout in the 1st half, with six cuts and nine defensive actions in total. He passed to Pablo Maia under pressure in the play of the second goal, but he was the best of the defense.

DISAPPOINTMENT: Arboleda – 3.5 – Another who regained his place in the team. He received a yellow card for having to commit a foul in midfield in the first half. He cleared an important ball in defense, but made a wrong play and gave the ball back to the opponent, who shot for an easy save by Rafael. He did not have a great 1st half. He failed to cut off the second half goal. He almost completely gave away the match with another mistake in stoppage time.

Alan Franco – 5.0 – Formed the 'ideal' trio of defense with the other foreigners. He was defensively secure, but made many mistakes in the game's exit.

DISAPPOINTMENT: Cédric Soares – 3.0 – He stayed far behind in the marking and did not reach Ramírez in the goal conceded. Directly responsible, on a very long ball, even though it was worked on. In front, he lost eight possessions, did not make a correct cross and made many mistakes in passing. Crespo saw that he was doing badly and took him out at halftime.

BEST OF THE TEAM: Marcos Antônio – 6.5 – He gave the first great pass of the match, with a perfect through ball for Rigoni to finish in the opening minutes. The little engine kept running all over the place, but, like the whole team, fell after the goal conceded. He returned to dictate the rhythm of Tricolor with great passes. He almost crowned himself with a long shot that was going into the corner, but the goalkeeper performed a miracle.

Bobadilla – 5.0 – Again in the Tricolor starting lineup, with a little more freedom to attack, he did not respond and produced little offensively. He continued to be absent in the second half and was replaced by Rodriguinho.

Pablo Maia – 4.5 – He did well in ball distribution and was firm in the role of main marker in the middle. He found a good pass to Luciano in the 2nd half, for a great shot by the number 10. He was having a good match, but ended up losing the ball that set up the counterattack for the second Ecuadorian goal. He took a long shot in the final minutes.

Enzo Díaz – 5.5 – He had a consistent first half in Quito and made a beautiful cross for Luciano to volley at the end of the half. Regular match, with more mistakes in the second half.

Luciano – 6.0 – Bad in the 1st half. He barely touched the ball, made some wrong passes and did not create any dangerous offensive plays. Until at 44 minutes he had a flash of brilliance and tried a beautiful volley, which was close. He returned more switched on after the break and had another good chance. He shot hard in the corner for a great save by the goalkeeper. Another shot at the end, but the goalkeeper closed the angle well.

Rigoni – 5.75 – He made his return as a starter for São Paulo. He had the team's first shot on goal, after a good pass from Marcos Antônio, but he shot very hard over the top. Then, a lot of running, but without touching the ball much before halftime. On return, he had another chance similar to the 1st half and now finished better, posing a threat. He could have done more, but he tried hard.

Maílton – 6.0 – He came on at halftime, and within 11 minutes he had done much more than Cédric in the match. He took two very dangerous corners, almost scoring an Olympic goal. He served Rigoni well to arrive shooting hard. He had a great chance in a direct free kick at the end, but he shot too hard. But he had a good game.

Rodriguinho – 5.0 – He replaced Bobadilla at 24' of the complementary stage. He did not appear much.

BEST OF THE TEAM: Ferreirinha – 6.5 – After feeling the altitude before the game, he came off the bench for the final minutes, replacing Rigoni. He came in strong and almost scored a fantastic goal by dribbling everyone, but the defense cleared. He made another great play with a shot in the corner, and left Luciano in front of the goal in another great play.

Hernán Crespo – 5.0 – He reinforced the midfield with a trio of midfielders and Pablo Maia in containment. The scheme was working until they conceded the goal. São Paulo could not play and was dominated by LDU, who did not create great chances in the 1st half. He made a good change in the wing, swapping Cédric for Maílton, who improved the right side. Shortly after, he brought Rodriguinho and Ferreirinha onto the field in search of a tie. He was punished when the team was doing better with another opponent's goal. He did well with the substitutions.

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