BRUNO MADRID
SÃO PAULO, SP (UOL/FOLHAPRESS)
São Paulo reached the final of the Copa do Brasil valuing the collective issue in attack – there were seven different scorers since the quarter-finals -, but Dorival Júnior’s team also had individual highlights in defense.
Three of the four starters in the Tricolor defensive line lead important statistics in the tournament, which ends this Sunday (24), when the São Paulo club hosts Flamengo, at 4pm (Brasília time). The data is from Opta Facts.
Rafinha is one of them. The right-back is the player who made the most successful passes in the competition: counting last weekend’s duel, he correctly activated his teammates 494 times.
Arboleda also stands out. The Ecuadorian, who forms the defense alongside Beraldo, leads in terms of number of cuts since the round of 16 – there are 44 hits, 13 more than vice-leader Murillo, ex-Corinthians.
Caio Paulista closes the list. The left-back took over the position previously occupied by Welington and enchanted Dorival, among other reasons, with his offensive strength. And it was precisely by attacking that the athlete achieved a record: he is the one who completed the most dribbles (18) since the round of 16.
The trio should play for Morumbi in the big decision against Flamengo, with Beraldo closing the line ahead of goalkeeper Rafael. São Paulo won the first leg 1-0 and will take the title even in the event of a draw.
ESCALATIONS
After the success at Maracanã, coach Dorival Júnior should repeat São Paulo’s lineup this Sunday. The starters from the first leg were rested on Wednesday (20), in the dispute against Fortaleza, for the Brazilian Championship.
The tricolor team should go to the field with: Rafael, Rafinha, Arboleda, Beraldo and Caio Paulista; Pablo Maia, Alisson, Rodrigo Nestor and Wellington Rato; Lucas Moura and Calleri.
Flamengo, in turn, was encouraged by the returns of Arrascaeta and Luiz Araújo, who participated in training this Friday (22). Both had been undergoing intensive treatment to be available on Sunday, and coach Jorge Sampaoli had already admitted the expectation for the Uruguayan player’s return to the lineup.
The red-black team must also count on Léo Pereira and Erick Pulgar, who were rested in the match against Goiás, on Wednesday, after feeling muscle pain. Both trained this Friday, and are not a concern to the committee.
A possible starting lineup for Flamengo is: Matheus Cunha (Rossi); Wesley, Fabrício Bruno, Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas; Erick Pulgar, Victor Hugo (Thiago Maia or Gabigol), Gerson and Arrascaeta (Gabigol); Bruno Henrique and Pedro.
Stadium: Morumbi, in São Paulo (SP)
Time: 4pm (Brasília time) this Sunday (24)
Referee: Braulio da Silva Machado (Fifa/SC)
VAR: Wagner Reway (VAR-Fifa/PB)
Broadcast:TV Globo, SporTV, Premiere and Amazon Prime Video
The post São Paulo defenders lead Brazil Cup statistics appeared first in Jornal de Brasília.
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