São Paulo without Bobadilla for Vitória clash, doubts over Franco, Luciano | OneFootball

São Paulo heads into the final round of the Brazilian Championship in a decisive atmosphere to determine its future. The team will need at least a draw against Vitória, at 4pm (Brasília time) on Sunday (7), at Barradão, to secure eighth place in the standings and keep dreaming of a spot in the next edition of the Copa Libertadores.

It seems like a relatively easy task. But as is well known, nothing is ever as easy as it sounds for the Morumbi club. And for the clash in Bahia, against an opponent that needs a win to avoid relegation, coach Hernán Crespo will return to the routine of being unable to repeat a lineup due to newly acquired absences.

Of the 11 who started the victory over Internacional on Wednesday (3), at Vila Belmiro, one absence is certain. Midfielder Bobadilla received his third yellow card and will serve an automatic suspension.

For his spot, Crespo has two options: he can start Pablo Maia, who had been a regular starter but ended up on the bench against the team from Rio Grande do Sul after a series of mistakes. There is also the alternative of starting Alisson, a player currently in poor form, but who in the past has tactically performed the same functions as the Paraguayan.

Besides Bobadilla, Crespo may have two other absences for the match at Barradão. Defender Alan Franco and forward Luciano were both substituted during the match against Inter due to physical problems.

Alan Franco felt pain in his knee still in the first half. He left the game after 30 minutes. The Argentine had already been training with difficulty, with some restricted activities. Right after leaving the field, he began ice treatment on the area.

Luciano endured most of the match against the Colorado rivals and was only substituted at the end of the game, with problems in the adductor muscle of his left thigh. The number 10 collapsed on the field and left on a stretcher.

Both players will be further evaluated on Friday (5), when São Paulo returns to training.

The Morumbi club had no fewer than 11 absences for the match against Inter. In addition to Oscar, who is recovering from a medical issue, Crespo could not count on the injured André Silva, Calleri, Dinenno, Enzo Díaz, Hugo Leonardo, Luan, Lucas Moura, Rodriguinho, Ryan Francisco, and Wendell.

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