Copa do Brasil reserves for Dorival Júnior his first decision in charge of São Paulo

São Paulo decides whether to advance to the round of 16 of the Brazil’s Cup or stay along the way this Tuesday at 21:30. After a goalless draw with Ituano in the duel at the Morumbitwo weeks ago, the tricolor team reviewed the rival from the interior of São Paulo with the need to win the game away from home, at Novelli Júnior, to qualify.

A new draw, by any score, will lead to the definition of the vacancy for penalties. Whoever wins guarantees a place in the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil, a competition that São Paulo has never won. Its current coach, Dorival Júnior, boasts two competition cups. He took the tournament trophy last season with Flamengo and in 2010, when he was in charge of Santos de Neymar e Ganso.

Dorival debuted with a victory over América Mineiro for the Brasileirão last Saturday. The 3-0 score masked a bad performance by São Paulo, with defensive flaws and difficulty in creating, but it gives the coach encouragement to continue his work in peace.

“It’s always very difficult to play against an opponent like it was against Ituano. He played well in Paulistão, being able to pass the stage. It’s going to be a tougher game than the one against América-MG”, predicted the São Paulo coach about the match. Tuesday’s duel.

Dorival’s plan is to do his best “following” what Rogério Ceni, his predecessor for the second time at São Paulo, had done. That goes, for example, by keeping Luan among the starters, using a diamond in the midfield, with three young defensive midfielders, and leaving Luan as a striker and not an articulator.

Dorival will promote changes in the team. The most certain of them is the lineup of Rafinha on the right side, since Raí Ramos, last Saturday’s starter, already played in the Copa do Brasil precisely for Ituano and can no longer play.

There may also be changes on the other side. Patryck started against América, but Caio Paulista, entering the second half, showed a better performance and received praise.

ITUANO X SÃO PAULO

ITUANO: Jefferson Paulino; Marcel, Rafael Pereira and Claudinho; Pacheco, Lucas Siqueira, Thiaguinho (Rafael Carvalheira), Eduardo Person and Jonathan Silva; Paulo Victor and Bruno Xavier (Quirino). Technician: Gilmar Dal Pozzo.

THEY ARE PAUL: Rafael; Rafinha, Beraldo, Arboleda and Caio Paulista; Luan, Pablo Maia, Nestor and Michel Araújo; Luciano and Calleri. Technician: Dorival Junior.

Judge: Anderson Daronco (Fifa/RS).

Time: 21:30.

Local: Novelli Júnior Stadium, in Itu.

TV: SporTV and Premiere.