São Paulo ratings: Rigoni sent off, Tapia stars in win | OneFootball

In a match full of variations at Arena Castelão, 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. 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 high ball in the area, flapped at it, but was saved by Wendell. After that, just easy saves in the first half. In the 2nd half, he closed the angle very well and saved the team from conceding a tie in a one-on-one shot from Pochettino. In stoppage time, he parried a header.

Negrucci – 6.0 – Once again improvised in the right back position due to injuries in the sector. Had a safe first half, cutting off 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 did well, with some defensive actions completed in the first half. He cut off 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 in defense in the first half, when he made five cuts, three interceptions, and a tackle. He also won the two ground duels he contested. Great performance, with 19 defensive actions throughout the game.

Cédric – 5.5 – Went up well to the attack to give a good pass to Rigoni for the Tricolor goal. He didn't make many mistakes, but yes all the crosses he tried in the 1st half. He was replaced by Maílton in the middle of the second half.

Pablo Maia – 6.0 – Had a safe first half, warding off 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 a great vision of the game at the end to serve Enzo, in Luciano's goal.

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

Wendell – 5.5 – He was a starter this time on the left. He showed alertness in clearing a ball in the area after a ridiculous exit by 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.

BEST ON FIELD: Tapia – 7.0 – Got another chance as a starter and took advantage of it. Just 10 minutes in, he played the role of a number 9, got away from the marking, and made São Paulo return to the nets after four blank matches. Alone in front after Rigoni's expulsion, he gave a lot to the team and ran a lot on all sides of the attack, fighting for each 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 in Tapia's goal. However, he spoiled his good initial performance minutes later. He went in with a high foot in a play with Deyverson and hit the rival. Anderson Daronco reviewed it on VAR and correctly sent off the attacker, who could have been more cautious in the play.

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

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

Luciano – 6.0 – He came in for the final minutes at Castelão, replacing the exhausted Tapia. Finally, he broke the jinx and scored again, after a moral counter-attack from Tricolor at the end of the match.

Alisson – 5.5 – At 32 minutes, he entered the field to replace Wendell. Extremely 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 with Palmeiras at the weekend, he lined up an alternative Tricolor against Fortaleza. He took the lead, but got the problem of Rigoni's expulsion still in the first half. Still, he went to halftime winning and returned with the substitution of Rodriguinho by 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 games.

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