Luciano’s suspension gives Crespo a fresh headache at São Paulo | OneFootball

The suspension of Luciano has caused a new headache for coach Hernán Crespo, who has been struggling to find solutions amid the absences in São Paulo. Now, the Argentine will have another problem to solve, as he will not be able to count on the number 10 in the next match for the Brazilian Championship.

Luciano was warned with a yellow card just 22 minutes into the first half. São Paulo's number 10 was fouled by Villalba, but lost his temper. He quickly got up and pushed Cruzeiro's defender, which earned him the referee Anderson Daronco's punishment.

Thus, Luciano is suspended for the match against Botafogo, valid for the 23rd round of the Serie A. The captain has complicated Crespo's life, who is already without three of his main forwards. Calleri, André Silva and Ryan Francisco remain in the medical department with no return date.

André Silva tore his posterior cruciate ligament and strained his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Calleri suffered a rupture in the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee, while Ryan Francisco had a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament along with a meniscus injury in his left knee.

With this, Crespo has very few alternatives for São Paulo's offensive sector. Juan Dinenno, Tapia and Ferreirinha emerge as the main options for the two attack positions. However, the latter two don't even play as center forwards - they are wingers who can, occasionally, perform the function.

Dinenno has had few opportunities with São Paulo's jersey, but did not respond when he was on the field. Tapia and Ferreirinha, on the other hand, have speed and dribbling as their main characteristics and can certainly help, but they are not specialists in the position.

Some youngsters from São Paulo's academy may also get opportunities, especially on the bench. Henrique Carmo and Lucca, for example, should continue to be related. The two, it is worth remembering, also usually play more as wingers on the sides of the field.

FIFA date is an ally

The FIFA date is an ally for São Paulo at this moment. The national football calendar will be paused for the last qualifying matches, and Crespo will have time to test alternatives and find possible solutions for Luciano's absence in the match against Botafogo.

Luciano's loss is considerable for Crespo. In addition to being one of the main references of the team on the field, the number 10 has also been one of the main highlights of Tricolor. This season, he already has 11 goals and six assists in 40 matches, 27 of them as a starter.

São Paulo tries alternatives in the market

While Crespo has been struggling to find solutions, São Paulo's board is attentive to any market opportunity and wants to sign a new center forward. The need for a new player for the position became evident after André Silva's injury.

Some names are already on the table of the Tricolor's high command, such as Marcelo Ryan, from Tokyo FC, Japan. However, São Paulo is in a delicate financial situation. Therefore, the board's intention is to bring players who are free in the market or on loan.

The transfer window closes next Tuesday (02). São Paulo's high command, therefore, is racing against time to try to reinforce Crespo's squad. Tricolor, it is worth remembering, has already signed defender Rafael Tolói and also agreed on the arrival of right-back Mailton.

Next São Paulo matches

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.