Luciano seeks redemption, targets São Paulo Libertadores semi | OneFootball

São Paulo faces a decisive challenge that could shape the course of their season. This Thursday, the Tricolor from São Paulo will host LDU from Ecuador in the second leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals. The match kicks off at 7 p.m. (Brasília time) at Morumbis.

The first leg featured a standout player for São Paulo, but not in a positive way. Luciano was heavily criticized for missing clear chances, and São Paulo ended up losing 2-0. Now, the number 10 will be seeking redemption as he tries to lead the Tricolor to the semifinals.

In the first match, played in Ecuador, Luciano missed a golden opportunity to score in stoppage time. The striker received a great pass inside the box, found himself one-on-one, got past the goalkeeper, but hesitated and shot at the defender even with an open goal.

Ten minutes into the second half, he received the ball inside the box again, but shot into the corner for a save by Valle. Near the end, he once again found himself in front of the goalkeeper but shot straight at his rival. After the match, the striker even admitted his mistakes and said he “couldn’t miss” those goals.

São Paulo created enough chances to return to Brazil with a better score, but ultimately fell short due to Luciano’s lack of efficiency. The Tricolor captain will now have the opportunity to decide the second leg and redeem himself with the fans.

The number 10 has already proven he can be decisive for São Paulo. This year, for example, he was crucial in both wins against Náutico in the Copa do Brasil, scoring three of the team’s four goals as they advanced to the round of 16.

In the current edition of the Copa Libertadores, Luciano has contributed to three goals in nine matches (one goal and two assists). However, the striker has mostly come on as a substitute, starting in only four games.

Luciano reaches two months without scoring

Luciano regained his starring role at São Paulo with the arrival of coach Hernán Crespo. The Tricolor captain took responsibility in the absence of key players like Oscar and Lucas, who were out injured, and became the ‘goal man’ at the start of the coach’s second stint.

In his first five games under Crespo, Luciano contributed three goals and three assists. However, the number 10’s performance has dropped significantly. On September 24, he reached two months without finding the net.

Luciano’s last goal for São Paulo was on July 24. On that occasion, he was decisive, scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 away victory over Juventude in the Brazilian Championship.

Now, Luciano is not only looking to regain his starring role at São Paulo but also to end this goal drought and redeem himself with the Tricolor fans. The striker is expected to start, while Ferreirinha, Dinenno, Rigoni, and Tapia are competing for the second spot in the attack.

What does São Paulo need to advance?

With a 2-0 defeat in the first leg, São Paulo needs to win by three or more goals to qualify for the Libertadores semifinals in regular time. In case

Luciano’s stats this season

Upcoming São Paulo matches

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