Tapia impresses Crespo at São Paulo, recalled by Chile and could miss derby | OneFootball

Chilean forward Gonzalo Tapia is experiencing his best moment at São Paulo. He played his sixth consecutive game for the club, the fifth as a starter, and was crucial in the 2-0 victory over Vasco on Sunday night (2), during the 31st round of the Brasileirão.

On a high, he was once again included on Monday (3) in the Chilean national team's squad for the friendlies this November during the FIFA Date, even though the neighboring country is not qualified for next year's World Cup.

The Chileans will face Russia on the 15th and Peru on the 18th. Both matches will be held in the Russian city of Sochi. Here's where the problem arises. After the Brasileirão break for the last FIFA Date of the year, the Tricolor is likely to play again on November 19.

And the match is none other than the classic against Corinthians, at the opponent's arena, initially scheduled for Wednesday the 19th. However, the CBF will still break down the final rounds of the Brazilian Championship and may adjust the date of the Majestic if São Paulo needs time to have Tapia available.

It's always important to note that the broadcasters holding the transmission rights dictate the Brasileirão schedule. Therefore, if they request São Paulo vs. Corinthians to be on the 19th, so it will be.

Whether or not he will be absent from the Tricolor for the next classic, the fact is that Tapia has been growing and greatly helping Crespo's team during this period of a shortage of forwards in the squad. The Chilean has played 14 matches, half as a starter, where he scored four goals wearing the São Paulo jersey.

In these games, there were 23 shots (10 on target), 5 key passes, 4 successful dribbles, 17 fouls suffered, and 42 duels won, according to Sofascore statistics, which demonstrate the great effort that the versatile Tapia has been delivering to the team.

Against Vasco, he fought hard against the rival defenders, almost scored, led counterattacks, and was of utmost importance for the team's away victory, earning him praise from coach Crespo after the match.

“I am very happy with Gonza (Tapia). He arrived with a strong desire to work and understand that he needed to change some things. He found confidence in the group and works hard for the team. This is the type of player the coaching staff wants: one who accepts when he's out and responds when he plays. His warrior spirit has helped us,” said the Argentine coach in the press conference at São Januário.

Exhausted and committed, Tapia was substituted at the 21st minute of the second half, and Crespo explained the change.

“We needed a bit more energy up front, hence the change, not because he deserved to come off. But we have a sequence of games and need to distribute the energy. I am very pleased with Gonzalo,” detailed the São Paulo coach.

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