São Paulo: Crespo to field strongest XI despite absences for qualification | OneFootball

The São Paulo squad trained at the Barra Funda Training Center on the morning of this Saturday (14) and finished preparations for the match against Ponte Preta, for the eighth and final round of the first phase of the Campeonato Paulista.

The match will be played at Moisés Lucarelli, in Campinas (SP), starting at 8:30 PM (Brasília time) this Sunday (15), and Tricolor needs a win by any score to secure qualification for the quarterfinals.

Coach Hernán Crespo used the session to make several adjustments to the team, simulating different game situations in an 11-a-side scrimmage. Afterwards, there were also repetitions of offensive and defensive set pieces and finishing drills.

For the players who are not expected to start the match, the coaching staff also conducted a technical drill in a reduced space.

Midfielder Bobadilla, who suffered a trauma to the front of his right thigh in the match against Grêmio, did activities in the pool and gym and will not travel with the squad this Sunday (15). Another absence is goalkeeper Carlos Coronel, who underwent a procedure to treat a kidney stone and will resume training with the group next week.

Making progress after recovering from a right knee injury, forward André Silva performed his individualized exercises with the fitness staff and then practiced finishing alongside his teammates.

São Paulo is in eighth place in the standings, with ten points, and will take the field at Moisés Lucarelli stadium in search of qualification for the quarterfinals – the top eight teams advance to the knockout stage. A simple win will guarantee the team’s spot.

Given the importance of the challenge, coach Hernán Crespo is expected to maintain a core starting lineup for the match against the Campinas side.

The likely Tricolor lineup for the match will be Rafael; Lucas Ramon, Alan Franco, Sabino, and Enzo Díaz; Pablo Maia, Danielzinho, Marcos Antônio, and Lucas; Luciano and Calleri.

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