Mailton could make first São Paulo start in SanSão derby, here’s why | OneFootball

Mailton made his debut for São Paulo last Thursday, in the 2-0 defeat to LDU, in Quito, Ecuador, for the first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals. The player, signed in the most recent transfer window, is expected to get his first chance in Hernán Crespo's starting 11 in the classic against Santos, for the 24th round of the Brazilian Championship. The ball rolls on the pitch of Vila Belmiro, in Santos (SP), starting at 8:30 pm (Brasília time), on Sunday.

In the duel for the international competition, the right back replaced Cédric Soares at half-time and had a standout performance, helping the team dominate the home side and create good scoring opportunities. Thus, thinking of a scenario in which São Paulo rests part of its starting team in the game against Peixe, Mailton appears as the main option to command São Paulo's right flank.

Mixed team?

The Tricolor Paulista should go to Vila Belmiro with a mixed team, as it will need full strength for the return match against LDU, at Morumbis. As Cédric is considered Crespo's starter, he should be preserved in the clash for the Brasileirão, giving Mailton his first opportunity as a starter for São Paulo.

São Paulo fans want to see Mailton

In a poll conducted on September 10 by Gazeta Esportiva, the São Paulo fans voted for Mailton to take over as the right back - one of the most needed positions in the squad.

In the vote, 47.92% of fans believe that the newly signed Mailton should be the starter for the position, while 43.75% believe it should be Cédric. On the other hand, 8.33% support that Crespo bet on the young Maik.

Tricolor's Situation

Libertadores

With the away defeat, by 2-0, São Paulo needs to beat LDU by three goals difference in the return match, at Morumbis, to advance to the semifinals. A victory by two goals difference will take the decision to penalties. A draw or a defeat by one goal difference from the Ecuadorians is enough for them to qualify.

Brasileirão

In the Brazilian Championship, however, the Tricolor Paulista comes from a 1-0 victory against Botafogo, which kept the team in the front pack of the competition. The capital club currently occupies the seventh position in the national tournament, with 35 points earned.

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