Team news: São Paulo fly to Colombia without seven starters, duo back | OneFootball

São Paulo’s squad traveled to Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday afternoon (26), where they will face Millionarios in the third round of the Copa Sudamericana group stage at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time on Tuesday (28).

And after some worried fans called for it, coach Roger Machado will finally listen to them. As he had already indicated in Saturday’s (25) post-match press conference, after the win over Mirassol in the Brazilian Championship, he will field a mixed lineup.

No fewer than seven players who had been regular starters in recent matches stayed behind in São Paulo (SP). They will have Monday (27) off and then resume regular training at CT da Barra Funda, with next Sunday’s (5/3) clash against Bahia in Bragança Paulista (SP) for the Brasileirão in mind.

Remaining in the state capital to train will be full-backs Lucas Ramon and Enzo Díaz, center-back Rafael Tolói, midfielder Danielzinho, and forwards Artur, Luciano, and Calleri.

With so much room opened up by the rested players, the squad list for the trip to Colombia includes some new faces. The main one is Ferreirinha, who returns after missing four matches with swelling in his left thigh.

Another new addition is forward Paulinho, a standout player from this year’s Copinha runner-up team. He suffered a ligament strain in his left knee in the competition final and had been out ever since. It will be the first time the youngster has been called up since the injury.

According to the schedule released by the club, the São Paulo squad will hold a training session on Monday in the neighboring country, where the lineup for the match will be decided. Tricolor lead Group C of the continental competition with two wins from two matches.

São Paulo are expected to line up with Rafael; Cédric Soares, Alan Franco, Sabino and Wendell; Bobadilla, Luan and Cauly; Tapia, André Silva and Lucca.

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