Tricolor Paulista will make classic with Palmeiras for a place in the final, deciding the classification at Allianz Parque, this Sunday (9)
It was far from making a big exhibition on Monday (3), but reached the goal of the night and advanced to the semifinals of by beating Novorizontino 1-0 at Morumbis. The team led by Luis Zubeldía played badly in the first half, but changed stance in the final stage and reached the victory with Calleri’s goal. With the result, São Paulo guarantees the last vacancy in the semifinals of Paulistan. The tricolor team will do classic with a place in the final, deciding the classification away from home. It is the first time since 2019 that the large four in the state have been among the best in the competition.
Coach Luis Zubeldía took the field again a scheme with three defenders, used in the victory over São Bernardo, and in the draw with Palmeiras. This time, Venezuelan defender Ferraresi won the place among the holders, in place of midfielder Luciano. The tricolor team began the match with difficulty moving from the defense to the attack because of the opponent’s strong marking in the central sector. Novorizontino sought to attack and created danger bids, forcing the home team to try to go forward with long releases, almost always unsuccessfully.
To try to push Novorizontino into the defense, São Paulo tried to value possession, exchanging passes more calmly to gradually progress in the field of play. However, in the face of a very close mark, the tricolor team sinned the lack of movement of the players and failed to develop pressure on the opponent. The team from the interior of São Paulo also did not stole in stopping bids missing and, whenever possible, make wax to irritate the São Paulo.
At 39 of the first half, an unbelievable move. Alisson made it beautiful in the play on the right, dribbling the opponent and getting free in the area. Back to the goalkeeper, the steering wheel chose to pass the ball to Calleri, but defender César Martins made providential cut and prevented the tricolor goal. Before the teams went to the locker room, Novorizontino risked kicks from outside the area and put Rafael to work. Sao Paulo changed the stance and returned to the final stage at a rapid pace, exchanging passes with speed, taking the best in midfield duels, and without letting Novorizontino breathe.
The tricolor team started to send the match, but still found some difficulty overcoming the opposing marking. That’s when the individual quality of the São Paulo team came into play. At 17, Oscar made an excellent ball to Lucas Moura, who invaded the area at speed, and only rolled to Calleri push into the net. Shortly after the goal, coach Eduardo Baptista took one of the three quarterbacks to put another striker on the Novorizontino team, who demonstrated personality and set off on Sao Paulo. Despite the advantage on the scoreboard, the tricolor team was not comfortable on the field. The Morumbi team saw the opponent grow up longer with the ball and sketch a pressure. The lack of quality of visitors to define plays, but prevented a more forceful reaction.
*With information from Estadão Content
Posted by Matheus Lopes
