The result does not change anything in terms of classification for Zubeldía’s team, as the team will finish the Brasileirão in the top six and with a direct place in the Libertadores thanks to Flamengo and Botafogo
The team wins 2-1 and stays in Série A in 2025, saying goodbye to MorumBis in 2024 with a 2-1 defeat to Juventude in the 37th round of the season. Already with a direct place in , the team has nothing to prove in the tournament, which allowed Zubeldía to promote tests. The game was marked by boos from Tricolor fans. The last impression left at the stadium in 2024 does not match the rest of the year, in which São Paulo received, on average, 46,046 fans per match, surpassing the record of 44,580, from 2023. Juventude even managed to tie the game in midfield in the opening minutes. Over time, however, São Paulo dominated the actions. The team ended the first half with 68% possession of the ball. São Paulo’s possession of the ball was so inefficient that Juventude were the ones who finished the most: 6 to 4 – including forcing efforts from Rafael. Of all São Paulo’s shots, none were on goal.
The team returned the same for the second half, both in lineup and posture. The problem was that the pressure placed on Juventude left space open for the team from Rio Grande do Sul. Yes, he had made changes, with the more defensive midfielder Mandaca replacing Nenê. It was Mandaca who stole the ball when Luiz Gustavo failed in midfield and passed it to Gabriel Taliari. The attacker charged and was cool to fake the finish and hit Rafael’s corner. It was Taliari’s second goal in 2024. The athlete faced knee problems and was out of action for four months. He celebrated the goal a lot at MorumBis. São Paulo did not react. More openness for Youth. Lucas Barbosa gained space and saw João Lucas advance from the right. The full-back reached the area, and Erick Farias was able to jump with his leg straight, on his sole, towards the back of the goal and expanded. Juventude was euphoric. And lighter. This way the team had more possession and even got further ahead to get the third.
Even without much impetus, the changes gradually made São Paulo gain oxygen on the field. Marcos Antônio and William Gomes, who came on in the second half, made a good move on the left side. The boy crossed, and Luciano anticipated the defenders and reduced it. The number 10 reaches 18 goals in the season, the team’s top scorer in 2024. The result changes nothing in terms of classification for São Paulo. The team will finish the Brasileirão in the top six and with a direct place in the Libertadores thanks to the titles of Flamengo, in the Copa do Brasil, and Botafogo, in the Libertadores. The black and white team from Rio is São Paulo’s opponent in the final round.
For Juventude, the match confirms their stay in Series A, with 45 points. The team can no longer be reached by anyone from Z-4. Now, the team is trying to qualify for the Copa Sudamericana, a competition that it has played in only once in its history, in 2005. To do so, it needs to beat Cruzeiro, in Caxias do Sul, and hope that Vitória doesn’t beat Flamengo.
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
Published by Sarah Paula
