Rafael Criticizes São Paulo’s Mistakes in Classic Match and Emphasizes Four Final Battles for Libertadores Qualification
Rafael expressed frustration following São Paulo’s 3-1 defeat to Corinthians in the 34th round of the Campeonato Brasileiro. The loss has intensified the urgency for the team as they focus on securing a spot in the Copa Libertadores.
Preparation for Upcoming Matches
With four crucial matches remaining, Rafael emphasized treating each game as a final. He stated, “We need to approach every match with the mindset of a final. It’s essential to get back to winning ways.” Sunday’s game is particularly significant as it features a matchup against Juventude.
Impact of Player Absences
The match against Corinthians saw São Paulo missing 12 key players, which had an undeniable impact on their performance. Coach Hernán Crespo was without several stars, including:
- Lucas
- Arboleda
- Enzo Díaz
- Calleri
- André Silva
- Ryan Francisco
- Rodriguinho
- Wendell
- Marcos Antônio
- Dinenno
- Oscar
- Luan
Rafael acknowledged the challenges posed by these absences. He remarked, “This year has been tough for us. The lack of key players has affected our performance consistently.”
Assessing the Match Against Corinthians
Rafael and Coach Crespo both felt the loss was unjust given the game’s dynamics. Rafael noted, “In the last two games, we played better than the outcomes suggest. Perhaps a draw would have been the fair result.”
Minimizing Errors
As they push for Libertadores qualification, Rafael highlighted the need for the team to minimize mistakes. He stated, “Small errors have cost us points. We must focus more on reducing these mistakes.”
Looking ahead, the team remains committed to improving their performance in the remaining matches and achieving their goal of qualification for the prestigious tournament.
