Analysis: Fluctuations and lack of options in the bank could take São Paulo out of the fight for Brasileirão | Saint Paul

In last Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against Ceará, in Castelão, in a late match in round 16, these two factors were crucial for Tricolor not to go away with the three points and to stay in the lead – the team is third , with 38 points and now with two games less.

Oscillation is something that accompanies São Paulo throughout the season. I play yes and I play no, the team led by Fernando Diniz has a very good first half and a very bad second half (and vice versa).

Against Ceará it was time to do a good first half and a second half underneath.

This lack of regularity has already cost the team important points not only in the Brasileirão, but also in the eliminations of the Paulista Championship and the South American Cup. Something that coach Fernando Diniz insists on saying in press conferences that he needs to improve, but has not yet achieved it.

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Against Vasco, last Sunday, São Paulo left another two points in the same key. You may understand that this is part of some kind of cast weariness, which has come from a gaming marathon in recent months. Diniz, however, rejects this hypothesis:

– As for fatigue, I did not think the team was tired at any time, quite the opposite. It is very difficult to play here (in Castelão), they generally make the grass higher, the field drier, wetter and warmer. I see no reason to question whether the team is tired, quite the contrary. Last week we beat Flamengo 3-0, a game down against Vasco and today the team ran from the beginning to the end of the game here.

We cannot isolate the fact that within these oscillations, São Paulo also achieved important victories. However, a team aiming for the Brazilian title cannot afford to build victories in this way.

The lack of players on the bench to change São Paulo’s mood or even style of play is another thing that can undermine São Paulo’s path in this race for the cup.

After finding a base team, Fernando Diniz does not usually change many pieces. He used to say that “exchanges don’t have to be normal, they have to be good.”

And in general, three will be disputed in practically all the matches: the inscriptions of Vitor Bueno, Tchê Tchê and Pablo. This is because there are not many other quality options on the bench, and Diniz is also not very favorable for giving other athletes a longer playing time.

Speed ​​options at the extremes, for example, are practically non-existent. After Antony left the club, Helinho would be that successor. However, it did not work out as expected and was loaned to Red Bull Bragantino. Paulinho Boia was injured for more than a month, but he is not a player who will decide the game. Toró is rarely used.

In attack, Pablo is always the safety ball for the second half. Tréllez and Gonzalo Carneiro just despair. Galeano, from the U-20, was related and entered against Ceará, but Diniz has already indicated that he should not be used so much.

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The midfielder, in turn, has almost no substitutes on the bench. When Igor Gomes or Gabriel Sara cannot play, São Paulo needs to change its way of acting and the environment is vulnerable.

Of course, with the 11 starters and with occasional exchanges, São Paulo can go far in the Brazilian Championship and also win the Copa do Brasil, in which they are in the semifinal, against Grêmio. However, in an atypical season and game after game, the lack of options is a red flag for Tricolor.