Puma Rodríguez converted a penalty goal and Andrés Gómez scored at the end to seal the victory for Gigante da Colina
São Paulo was unable to hold on to the partial victory against Vasco in São Januário, in Rio, in the 12th round of the Brazilian Championship. The team did not react to the changes made by coach Renato Gaúcho, suffered pressure from the opponent and conceded the victory by 2-1.
Roger Machado’s team had a perfect first half, especially in defense. Luciano opened the scoring early, and the team managed until halftime. Vasco didn’t seem to react in the second stage, until the arrivals of Claudio Spinelli and Brenner changed the dynamic and qualified Rio’s pressure. Puma Rodríguez, with a penalty, and Andrés Gomez made the team win again after five games.
The São Paulo team depend on other games to remain in the G-4 and need to dry out Bahia (against Flamengo) and Athletico-PR (against Palmeiras). With 20 points, the team sleeps in fourth place. The Vasco team have 16 and are gaining strength at the top of the table.
Vasco was the one who took the initiative in the game. The Cariocas, however, were unable to finish in danger. The team at least made it difficult for São Paulo to leave the defense field.
It was in a throw by Rafael that São Paulo’s chance came. Cuiabano dodged backwards. Calleri made a nice feint with his body at Robert Renan and hit a cross. Léo Jardim saved, but Luciano opened the scoring with a rebound.
Safe with the goal, São Paulo maintained a calm posture. The team did not suffer and was solid defensively. Vasco had more possession of the ball, but also had difficulty being incisive.
Without the ball, São Paulo closed a line of five in defense, blocking any Vasco advance. Wingers Artur and Lucca served as escapes on the sides. The attacks, however, did not evolve into new great scoring chances.
Renato Gaúcho changed the right side of the team after the break, with Paulo Henrique and Tchê Tchê leaving. The difficulty in opening spaces in the São Paulo defense continued
When they had the ball, São Paulo was quick to attack. Calleri could have expanded. Lucca made a great move on the left side, left his marker behind and crossed for the Argentine. In the small area, the number 9 hit the marker with his shin. On the rebound, once again the Vasco defense saved.
Just 16 minutes into the second half, Renato Gaúcho introduced Claudio Spinelli and Brenner, changing the configuration of the attack. The team lacked a presence in the area that could open spaces in the São Paulo defense. Soon after, the Argentine had a chance after a cross.
He finished wide, but showed that Vasco could do better than they did up until then. Vasco’s pressure gained quality. The team could look for the area, knowing they had someone to finish. In a corner, Rafael was forced to make a reflex save after Spinelli’s shot.
At the moment of the cross, however, the ball hit Calleri’s arm. Sávio Pereira Sampaio went to VAR and signaled the penalty. Puma Rodríguez didn’t hit so well, Rafael hit the corner and touched the ball, but couldn’t make the save. São Paulo suffered the adage of “those who don’t do it get it”, after having wasted arrivals. The team lost its defensive composure in the face of Renato Gaúcho’s changes in attack.
What was a calm management of the score in the first half turned into a struggle for São Paulo. Vasco maintained possession of the ball and put even more pressure on the visitor, who was unable to get into the game. Calleri appeared isolated between the Vasco defenders.
Vasco was rewarded with a comeback after so much offensive effort. São Paulo’s defense poorly cleared a cross, and the ball fell to Adson, who shot over Brenner. The ball was left for Andrés Gómez to shoot hard, count on a deflection by Sabino and turn it around.
São Paulo returns to the field on Tuesday, the Tiradentes holiday, when it debuts in the Copa do Brasil. The opponent in the fifth phase is Juventude, with the match at MorumBis. Vasco also debuts away from home, against Paysandu.
