Analysis: change in Diniz, failures and details determine the victory of São Paulo over Fluminense | Brasileirão Serie A

In the first half, Odair Hellmann managed to neutralize the departure of the São Paulo defenders, Diego and Leo, with a tactical change. With the absence of Evanílson, Nenê and Marcos Paulo played in the middle, going from 4-1-4-1 to 4-2-3-1. Without a reference striker, the two players, who usually play on the flanks of the field, took turns in front, often side by side.

Note the positioning of the Fluminense players. Even with quality in the exit of the ball, Diego and Leo spent much of the first half without safe options for the pass.

Fluminense’s goal was born from a mistake by Igor Vinícius in calculating the rebound of the ball. After goalkeeper Marcos Felipe’s shot, there were three São Paulo players for simple dominance.

With a good lead from Nenê, offering an option on the play, Wellington Silva got the necessary space, dribbled inside and landed a nice shot.

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During the break, Fernando Diniz changed pieces. The main one was the entry of Igor Gomes instead of Hernanes, which caused a change in the characteristics of the São Paulo midfield. With a midfielder closer to the attackers, Igor Gomres gave the field room to build from the defenders. Thus, São Paulo neutralized the double blocking inside Nenê and Marcos Paulo, opened the game from the sides and pushed Fluminense to the defensive field.

The tie came from a rehearsed corner game. Léo dodged at the first post and Brenner completed for the empty net. Note that the Fluminense defense positioned themselves for mixed scoring, with six players protecting the small area and two players in individual scoring.

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Nenê was in charge of avoiding the run of Léo, who managed to get rid of the mark and deflect the ball at the near post.

If the tie at the beginning of the second half affected Fluminense, the return goal, at 8 minutes, was devastating. And it all started with a bad position in the construction of the defensive line.

To reduce the opponent’s field space, coaches advise their defenders to be close, in line, positioned as close as possible to the midfielders. Thus, the team is compact and takes space away from the rival with the offside line. Notice, then, the positioning of Luccas Claro.

If Luccas Claro were in line with the other Fluminense defenders, the São Paulo attackers would not be free to dominate the ball. It was in this space that Brenner and Luciano took the opportunity to change course.