Calleri hits back at São Paulo doubters after Paulistão spot | OneFootball

For those who feared relegation in the Paulistão, São Paulo is now qualified for the quarterfinals of the State Championship. The spot was secured with a 2-1 victory over Ponte Preta, away from home in Campinas, on Sunday night (15th) during Carnival. Their opponent in the next round will be Bragantino.

Many people doubted, made a fuss, and created unnecessary panic, but São Paulo gradually found its best football during the competition and stamped its ticket to the knockout stage of the Campeonato Paulista.

Always confident in the squad and warning that São Paulo does, indeed, have what it takes to fight for the title, forward Calleri, who scored again in the win over Macaca, was direct when talking about the qualification.

“Most people didn’t believe in us. But we are a very united group. We knew it was going to be a tough year, a year of many changes. But we stayed strong as a group, and the truth is that this group is wonderful, it deserved this qualification,” the Argentine celebrated to TNT Sports still on the pitch.

Now, it’s a different competition. Whoever loses is out, all the way to the grand final, which will be decided in home-and-away matches. And Calleri remains confident in Tricolor’s progress.

“And now it’s knockout stage. It’s one game, we’re going to prepare to play Bragantino now. But the group is very strong to keep fighting in both the Brasileirão and the Paulistão,” concluded the São Paulo striker.

Now, Hernán Crespo’s men have a full week with only training sessions, no matches, until the quarterfinal clash against Bragantino, which will only take place next weekend.

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