Arboleda struggles against Palmeiras when playing for São Paulo | OneFootball

Back after serving a suspension in the last match against Fortaleza, the Ecuadorian defender Robert Arboleda will be the longest-serving player at São Paulo in the classic against Palmeiras. Having been with the Tricolor since 2017, the defender will play his 30th Choque-Rei in his career. The match kicks off this Sunday at 4 PM (Brasília time) at Morumbi, valid for the 27th round of the Brasileirão.

In the 29 games he has played against Palmeiras, Arboleda has a negative record. There have been eight wins, ten draws, and 11 losses against Verdão. In eight years of competing in the Choque-Rei, the Ecuadorian has participated in memorable matches in the recent history of the classic, including notable titles and eliminations.

Memorable Matches

Arboleda's two main victories in the Choque-Rei were in championship finals. The first, in 2021, saw him play every minute of the final of the Paulistão, which marked the end of São Paulo's more than eight-year title drought. Three years later, in the 2024 Super Cup, the defender was crucial for the Tricolor to overcome Palmeiras at Mané Garrincha.

Besides the titles, Arboleda also played in the two encounters between the teams in the Copa do Brasil. In 2022 and 2023, in the round of 16 and quarter-finals, respectively, the Ecuadorian was a starter in the Tricolor's qualifications.

On the other hand, the Ecuadorian also suffered many setbacks against Palmeiras. Among the 11 losses, notable ones include the elimination in the quarter-finals of the 2021 Libertadores and the Paulista runner-up title in 2022, in which Arboleda only played in the return match.

Controversy

Arboleda's history with Palmeiras also includes a major controversy during his time as a Tricolor player. During the 2020 vacation, the defender was caught wearing the Verdão jersey and was even fined by the São Paulo board.

São Paulo's Situation

After defeating Fortaleza in the last round of the Brasileirão, São Paulo hopes to start a positive streak in the Brasileirão. Currently, the Tricolor occupies the eighth position in the national competition, with 38 points – two points less than Bahia, which is in sixth place.

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