São Paulo beats Sport and takes important step against relegation

With little efficient attack in the Brazilian Championship, São Paulo counted on the opportunism of Argentine Jonathan Calleri to beat Sport this Saturday (27), at Morumbi, and move away from the relegation zone.

The striker was the author of the first goal in the 2-0 victory over the opponent who is very close to being relegated. He took advantage of the free kick and pushed the ball with his right foot to open the scoreboard at 4 minutes into the second half.

Calleri, who hasn’t scored in four matches since October 18, came to face criticism for his expulsion against Flamengo, on the last October 14. With the goal this Saturday, he assumes the team’s artillery at the Brazilian Nationals alongside Rigoni and Gabriel Sara, with four goals each.

Sara, by the way, was another highlight of the São Paulo team against Sport. He had good movement in the offensive sector, created at least three good opportunities and was the author of the second goal for the São Paulo team, after a pass by Marquinhos, 34 minutes into the second stage.

The result gives peace of mind to coach Rogério Ceni’s team, who reached 45 points and practically ruled out the risk of relegation. The team is in 12th place and has five points more than Juventude, which opens the relegation zone.

Sport, in turn, remains in second place, with 33 points, and has an almost impossible mission to remain in Serie A. Coach Gustavo Florentín’s team needs to win all of its three remaining games in the competition and root for a combination of results .

Against a desperate team in the fight against relegation, São Paulo suffered in the first half with their ineffective attack. In the opening 45 minutes, the tricolor team from São Paulo submitted 10 times, against the opponent’s 4. But the best opportunities were for Sport, which only didn’t open the score thanks to the good performance of Tiago Volpi.

Even with the two goals scored in the second half, São Paulo has the four worst attack in the competition, ahead only of Sport itself, Atlético-GO and the lantern Chapecoense.

It was the first of a series of three matches for São Paulo against teams that fight to stay in Serie A. Coach Rogério Ceni’s team will have as next opponents Grêmio and Juventude, respectively in the next Thursday (2) and Monday ( 6), clubs that are in the relegation zone.

Then, they play the last match of the Brazilian Nationals against América-MG, on the 9th, the only one of their opponents in a calmer situation in the championship — the Minas Gerais team is in the middle of the table.

Sport’s next match will be on Friday (3), against Flamengo, which this Sunday was defeated by Palmeiras and won the vice-championship of the Copa Libertadores.