São Paulo gamble on youth in Recife | OneFootball

São Paulo travel to Recife to face Sport in the 20th round of the 2025 Campeonato Brasileiro with manager Hernán Crespo managing a long list of absences and a need for rotation, according to Arquibancada Tricolor.

The Tricolor enter the weekend in seventh place on 28 points, with a record of seven wins, seven draws, five defeats, scoring 22 and conceding 20. At the other end of the table, Sport occupy last place, having picked up one win, six draws and ten losses. Their eleven goals scored and 25 conceded underline their struggles.

São Paulo’s challenges go beyond just opponent form. Crespo will be without Luiz Gustavo (illness), Arboleda, Calleri, Hugo Leonardo, Oscar, Ryan Francisco and Wendell due to injury. To further complicate matters, first-choice names Rafael, Alisson, Marcos Antônio and Luciano have been left out as a precaution and given rest, heightening the reliance on less experienced players.

Given the circumstances, São Paulo’s probable lineup features Young in goal. The back three should include Alan Franco (or Ferraresi), Igão (or Negrucci) and Sabino. On the flanks, Maik and Patryck are expected to get the nod. In midfield, Luan, Pablo Maia and Rodriguinho are likely to start, with Ferreira or Tapia and André Silva or Dinenno making up the attack.

Disciplinary concerns add another layer to squad building: nine São Paulo players, including André Silva, Arboleda and Luciano, are only one yellow card away from suspension. The staff has chosen to protect them, especially with important fixtures on the horizon.

Sport come into the match weakened by the absences of Diogo Hereda and Sérgio Oliveira, both sidelined with injury. Their possible starting eleven includes Gabriel in goal; Matheus Alexandre, Rafael Thyere, Ramon Menezes and Igor Cariús in defence; Rivera, Zé Lucas and Lucas Lima in the middle; and Léo Pereira, Matheusinho and Derik Lacerda up front.

The game is scheduled for 18:30 local time at Ilha do Retiro and will be broadcast by Record, CazéTV and Premiere.

While São Paulo look to continue their decent league form amid rotation, the challenge is as much about managing physical resources as it is collecting points in Recife.

(Information sourced from Arquibancada Tricolor.)