Élio Sizenando’s Capivariano make history as Paulistão debutant faces Palmeiras | OneFootball

Palmeiras v Capivariano in the Paulistão quarter-finals brings together the competition's two longest-serving coaches. According to Globo.com, Élio Sizenando has turned his first Paulistão into a landmark run since taking charge in late 2021.

Aged 54, Sizenando spent years in youth football, helping develop Fabinho and Emerson Royal, both capped by Brazil, before moving into senior management. He worked at Desportivo Brasil, then took Capivariano in 2021, with a short loan in 2025 to Pouso Alegre and Figueirense while helping plan the current season.

He knew the club well, having led the under-20s to state runners-up in 2016. In 2023, Capivariano won Série A3 against São José, scoring 46 goals, the best attack.

Patience underpinned 2025, when promotion from Série A2 came with the title against Primavera, a 2-1 away win after a 0-0 first leg. Continuity followed, with much of the A2 core retained alongside Sizenando.

Back in the elite after 10 years, this is only the club's third Paulistão, after 2015 and 2016. They have reached the knockouts for the first time, secured a 2027 Série D berth for the first national league in their history, and a place in the next Copa do Brasil.

Abel Ferreira, in post since November 2020 and already with four state titles, provides the benchmark with an experienced Palmeiras squad. The tie at Arena Barueri starts at 20:30 Brasília time, is one leg, and goes to penalties if level.

Source: Globo.com