São Paulo line-up: new faces as Dorival picks side for Flamengo decider | OneFootball

São Paulo wrapped up its preparations to face Flamengo this Sunday (26) at 6:30 p.m. (Brasília time) at the Maracanã, in the 20th round (the first of the second half) of the Brazilian Championship. The team held its final training session on the morning of this Saturday (25) at the Barra Funda training center before traveling to Rio de Janeiro (RJ).

The schedule began with a video analysis conducted by the coaching staff. On the pitch, after a warm-up with quick ball circulation drills and pressing in tight spaces, head coach Dorival Júnior led an 11-v-11 tactical session on a reduced field to fine-tune the team’s positioning and movement. In the final part, attacking and defensive set-piece and positional plays were rehearsed.

The squad traveled to the Rio capital in the afternoon with two new names on the matchday list:

Aurélio Buta: The newly introduced Portuguese-Angolan right-back was called up for the first time.

Sabino: The center-back is back after recovering from a right thigh injury.

The Morumbi club has not won in its last six matches in the country’s main competition and appears to be in free fall, even after the nearly two-month break in the schedule for the World Cup.

For the clash against the Rio side, where victory has become more than necessary, Dorival will make changes. In defense, one is mandatory, since Rafael Tolói left the comeback defeat to Athletico-PR injured. Sabino should be the option.

Changes should also happen in midfield and attack. Pablo Maia, who started last Wednesday (22) and was accused by the fans of making a mistake on one of the Paraná side’s goals, may remain in the team, since Bobadilla felt pain in his right knee and is out against the Rio side. The player expected to get a chance because of the absence is forward Victor Sá.

The likely Tricolor lineup to face Flamengo should be Rafael; Lucas Ramón, Arboleda, Sabino and Wendel; Pablo Maia and Marcos Antônio; Artur, Luciano, Calleri and Victor Sá.

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