São Paulo ratings: Rigoni sees red, Tapia shines in win | OneFootball

In a match full of variations at the Castelão Arena, São Paulo held up well even with one less player and beat Fortaleza 2-0 on Thursday night (2), for the Brasileirão. Rigoni started off very well, with an assist for the goal and Tapia. Shortly after, however, he was sent off. The Tricolor managed to hold up well against one of the worst teams in the championship and even extended their lead with Luciano at the end. See the scores and highlights of the match:

Rafael – 6.0 – Gave a scare just 5 minutes in. He mishandled a ball lofted into the area, flapped at it, but was saved by Wendell. After that, only easy saves in the first half. In the 2nd half, he closed the angle very well and saved the team from conceding an equalizer in a one-on-one shot from Pochettino. In stoppage time, he palmed a header away.

Negrucci – 6.0 – Once again improvised at right-back due to injuries in the sector. Had a secure 1st half, cutting out some dangerous balls. Maintained the good level throughout the rest of the match.

Luiz Gustavo – 6.5 – Exactly six months after his last game, he returned to the field for Tricolor after recovering from pulmonary thromboembolism. He performed well, with some defensive actions completed in the initial stage. He cut out very important balls during the match and won duels in the air and on the ground. Great return.

Sabino – 6.5 – The only natural center-back who started, he was by far the best of the defense in the initial stage, when he made five clearances, three interceptions, and one tackle. He also won the two ground duels he contested. Great performance, with 19 defensive actions throughout the game.

Cédric – 5.5 – Moved up well in attack to give a good pass to Rigoni for the Tricolor goal. Didn't make many mistakes in his passes, but yes in all the crosses he attempted in the 1st half. He was replaced by Maílton halfway through the second half.

Pablo Maia – 6.0 – Had a secure first half, clearing the danger in the moments of greatest pressure from the Ceará rival. He remained as the guard dog of the Tricolor defense until the end.

Bobadilla – 6.0 – After the expulsion, he had a discreet performance, without much highlight. He had great vision of the game at the end to serve Enzo, in Luciano's goal.

Rodriguinho – 4.5 – Set up the counter-attack well for São Paulo's goal at the beginning. Connected some plays, but was very alone after Rigoni's expulsion. He was replaced by Enzo Díaz at halftime.

Wendell – 5.5 – Started this time on the left. He showed alertness to clear a ball in the area after a horrendous exit from goalkeeper Rafael. He was good in defense, winning practically all the duels he contested. Even playing more advanced in the 2nd half, he didn't create great chances and left at the end.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Tapia – 7.0 – Got another chance as a starter and took it well. Just 10 minutes in, he played the role of a number 9, broke away from the marking, and got São Paulo back on the scoresheet after four blank matches. Alone up front after Rigoni's expulsion, he gave a lot to the team and ran a lot on all sides of the attack, fighting for every ball. In the 2nd half, he gave a great trivela pass for Bobadilla to finish. After so much fighting, he collapsed at 30 minutes and was replaced by Luciano.

DISAPPOINTMENT: Rigoni – 4.0 – Another one who reappeared in Crespo's lineup. He started with a lot of willingness and assisted in a low cross for Tapia's goal. However, he spoiled his good initial performance minutes later. He went in with a high foot in a challenge with Deyverson and hit the opponent. Anderson Daronco reviewed it on VAR and correctly sent off the forward, who could have been more cautious in the play.

Enzo Díaz – 6.0 – Came on at halftime, replacing Rodriguinho. As always, he did well in marking. In the end, already at 39’, he broke away on a counter-attack and crossed for Luciano to just push into the empty net.

Maílton – No rating – Was another full-back who came on, at 22’ of the 2nd half, replacing Cédric. He practically achieved nothing.

Luciano – 6.0 – Came on for the final minutes at Castelão, replacing the exhausted Tapia. Finally, he broke the jinx and scored again, after a morale-boosting Tricolor counter-attack at the end of the match.

Alisson – 5.5 – At 32 minutes, he came on to replace Wendell. Very important in stealing the ball at the end of the match and setting up the counter-attack for the second goal.

Hernán Crespo – 6.5 – Thinking more about the classic match with Palmeiras at the weekend, he fielded an alternative Tricolor against Fortaleza. He took the lead, but had the problem of Rigoni's expulsion still in the first half. Even so, he went to halftime winning and returned with the substitution of Rodriguinho for Enzo Díaz, to explore more the sides of the field. It worked, the team killed the match at the end and won again after four matches.

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