São Paulo Faces In-Form Bahia under Ceni Without Forwards
As the Brazilian Championship progresses toward the end of the season, São Paulo faces a significant challenge against Bahia without any forwards available. This match, part of the 30th round, is scheduled for Saturday, October 25, at 9:30 PM, at the MorumBis Stadium.
São Paulo’s Tough Situation
Head coach Hernán Crespo is currently dealing with an attack crisis. Following the injuries of forwards Calleri, Ryan Francisco, and André Silva, the situation worsened with Dinenno undergoing knee surgery. He will not be an option for the match, leaving the team without any center forward.
- Injured Players:
- Calleri
- Ryan Francisco
- André Silva
- Dinenno
Since the absence of André Silva, São Paulo has struggled offensively, recording only two victories and eight losses in their last ten matches, scoring just five goals. Key contributors to the scoring tally include:
- Dinenno: 1 goal
- Tapia: 2 goals
- Luciano: 2 goals
Defensive Adjustments
Defensively, the team will also miss Ferraresi due to suspension. Maik is expected to start in place of Cédric, who is injured. Despite these challenges, the club is hopeful about maintaining a competitive edge.
Upcoming Venue Changes
This match marks one of the final home games for São Paulo at the MorumBis in 2025, as events planned for the stadium will force the team to alternate its home ground. Future matches may be played at Vila Belmiro, including fixtures against Juventude and Internacional.
Bahia’s Current Form
In contrast, Bahia arrives with momentum, boasting two recent victories. They are currently positioned fifth in the league, with 47 points, nine points ahead of São Paulo. Despite a loss to Vitória, they recently achieved impressive wins against Grêmio and Internacional.
Team Lineups
For the upcoming match, the expected lineups are:
| São Paulo | Bahia |
|---|---|
| Rafael | Ronaldo |
| Alan Franco | Gilberto |
| Arboleda | Gabriel Xavier |
| Sabino | Ramos Mingo |
| Maik | Luciano Juba |
| Bobadilla | Acevedo |
| Marcos Antônio | Jean Lucas |
| Lucas Moura | Michel Araujo |
| Enzo Días | Ademir |
| Gonzalo Tapia | Sanabria |
| Luciano | Willian José |
This clash is critical for São Paulo as they strive to improve their league standing, while Bahia aims to solidify its position for a potential Libertadores spot.
