São Paulo ratings: Artur free-kick, Marcos Antonio shines, defence cracks | OneFootball

São Paulo resumed its Brasileirão campaign this Wednesday (22) giving its fans false hope, with a good first half and a 1-0 lead over Athletico-PR. Then came the second half and a defensive blackout, as the team conceded a comeback in five minutes, losing yet another in the tournament, 2-1. Artur scored a beautiful free-kick goal, Marcos Antonio was the team’s standout performer, but the awful display in the second half weighed heavily. See the ratings:

Rafael – 4.5 – He had very little to do in the first half, aside from coming out for a few aerial balls. He was not at fault for the goals conceded and made few saves.

Lucas Ramon – 5.0 – Produced a good individual move in attack in the 11th minute and sent in a left-footed cross onto Calleri’s head. He had a good first half, offering an outlet on the right and winning his defensive duels. He got tangled up on a cross right after halftime and almost scored an own goal on the equalizer by the Paraná side. He came off late on.

Arboleda – 5.0 – He was booed by some fans before the match on his return, but put in a solid first half with five good defensive actions. He was left exposed on the opposition’s equalizer just seconds into the second half and his performance dropped off.

Rafael Tolói – 5.5 – He did not have much work early in the game, felt his thigh and had to be substituted. He left the pitch after winning both of his duels, with one clearance and one tackle.

Wendell – 5.0 – He was good defensively in the first half, making tackles and recoveries. He also got forward and linked up well with Marcos Antonio. He miskicked a shot late in the game and, like the whole team, faded badly.

Pablo Maia – 4.5 – He misplaced few passes and did his defensive job well, with one tackle and three ball recoveries. He won most of his ground duels in the opening half. He made a poor pass right after the start of the second half, which led to the opposition goal. On the go-ahead goal, he went down in the box during the corner kick. Shortly after, he tried a long-range shot without much power. He was replaced by Ferreirinha.

Bobadilla – 5.0 – Playing as the right-sided defensive midfielder, he did not stand out much in the first half. He remained quiet in the second half and was replaced by Danielzinho in the 29th minute.

TEAM’S BEST: Marcos Antonio – 6.5 – He started well, dictating play from the left side of midfield. He produced a lovely chest control for Calleri to turn and shoot near the end of the first half. He was São Paulo’s maestro in the opening half, even drifting wide many times. He put Luciano through on goal 10 minutes into the second half. He was the only one who kept trying something different, while also working hard defensively.

Luciano – 4.5 – He moved around a lot in the first half, but did not produce much, misplacing passes and crosses. Still, he was important in ball recoveries. He was one-on-one with the keeper 10 minutes into the second half, but shot straight at him. It was not his day.

Artur – 6.0 – He struck a free kick brilliantly in the 18th minute, into the top corner, to give Tricolor the lead. He also felt some pain in the first half, did not need to come off, but slowed down. Even so, he was an important attacking piece before halftime. He dropped off badly in the second half.

Calleri – 5.5 – He had a good early aerial chance from Ramon’s cross, but headed poorly. Then, in the 40th minute of the first half, he received the ball in the area, turned and hit a strong shot toward the corner, but wide. He won the foul that led to Artur’s goal. He disappeared in the second half and was taken off for André Silva.

Osorio – 5.5 – The center-back developed at Cotia had to come on in the 22nd minute of the first half for the injured Tolói. He was solid, winning most of his duels, but struggled in some build-up situations. He did not hurt the team.

Ferreirinha – 5.0 – He came on for Pablo Maia in the 18th minute of the second half. A few dribbles down the wing, but little end product, as usual.

André Silva – 4.5 – He replaced Calleri in the second half and barely touched the ball.

Danielzinho – No rating – He came on for Bobadilla late in the game. He changed nothing.

Victor Sá – No rating – The forward made his debut when he came on for Lucas Ramon in the 29th minute of the second half. He also failed to turn things around.

Dorival Jr. – 5.0 – He set the team up with three midfielders and it worked, with Tricolor controlling the main actions in the first half. He had to replace the injured Tolói with Osorio before the break. In five minutes of the second half, he saw Tricolor throw away the lead. Soon after, he sent on Ferreirinha and André Silva, made more changes, but watched São Paulo lose again.

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