Goal and Brazilian Football Drama: São Paulo's Paulista Championship Exit Raises Eyebrows and Pressure on Coach Thiago Carpini
São Paulo was knocked out in the quarterfinals of the Paulista Championship for the second consecutive year this Sunday, losing to Novorizontino on penalties, by 5-4, at Morumbi, after a 1-1 draw in regular time. In front of more than 55 thousand fans, the Tricolor showed more of the same, enough reason for the crowd in the stands to show their dissatisfaction with the work of coach Thiago Carpini.
Indeed, part of this impatience from the fans makes sense. São Paulo showed more of the same this Sunday, against a team that had a great first phase, it's true, but with massive support in the stands, packed, and needing to return to the semifinals of the State Championship after falling to modest Água Santa, also in the quarters, last year. On the field, a São Paulo completely dependent on Lucas was seen. It was thanks to the number 7 that Tricolor managed to draw the match against Novorizontino, after a great individual play that culminated in a precise cross for Ferreiriha to complete with skill into the net.
Lucas is capable of deciding a match at any moment. His technical quality is unquestionable. But, to dream big this season, São Paulo needs to be much more than a team dependent on their superstar player. A strong collective is needed, a gear that works, which, so far, has not been displayed on the field.
Thiago Carpini's lack of experience, at only 39 years old, contributes to the strong pressure from the fans. The coach, despite accumulating significant work at Água Santa and Juventude, still needs to establish himself as a top-tier professional. São Paulo is his big chance for that, but, at least for now, he has let the opportunity slip away.
The elimination in the Paulista Championship weighs, yes, for any analysis of Thiago Carpini's early work at São Paulo, but it is the duty of the board to support his continuity. After all, it's only been two months. There's room for improvement, of course, but miracles are impossible. São Paulo also didn't present flashy football under Dorival Júnior's command last year. But efficiency, commitment, and the team's behavior in decisive matches made the difference for the Copa do Brasil title to be conquered.
The commitment still exists, but the efficiency is no longer the same. Now, São Paulo's squad will have more than two weeks to work, rest, reassess routes, and move forward. The season will be long, Tricolor will return to compete in the Libertadores, a competition that is part of the club's DNA and, therefore, the frustrating elimination in the quarterfinals of the Paulista Championship cannot become something bigger than it really is. Pressure on Thiago Carpini, however, continues to grow around the Morumbi. more information.
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