São Paulo kicked off thier campaign in the Paulista Championship wiht a 0-0 draw against Botafogo-SP in Ribeirão Preto. The match saw São Paulo field a mixed squad, comprised of players returning early from pre-season and promising young talents from their youth academy. This blend, while understandable given the logistical challenges of juggling multiple commitments, lacked cohesion and resulted in a largely uneventful encounter.
Adding to the unusual circumstances, head coach Hernán Crespo was absent, having returned to the United States with the senior team. His assistant, Maxi Cuberas, took the reins and attempted to balance experienced players with those still adjusting after the holiday break.
Despite the lackluster performance, the draw provided São Paulo with their first point in the championship. They currently sit in second place in Group C, trailing leaders Noroeste by a point with a game in hand. Novorizontino occupies third with one point, while Água Santa remains at the bottom without a point to their name.
Looking beyond the scoreline, the match was characterized by a low technical level and a generally sluggish pace. Though, considering São Paulo’s intricate scheduling constraints, the draw can be regarded as a valuable point secured away from home.
Tricolor’s Youthfulness Aims for a Breakthrough
in a rather uneventful kind match against Botafogo-SP in Ribeirão Preto,São Paulo and home team Botafogo-SP played to a scoreless draw. Despite the lack of goals, the game offered a glimpse into São Paulo’s future, as the tricolor incorporated several promising young talents into their lineup.
“We are always looking for opportunities to give our young players some experience at the professional level,” said a São Paulo spokesperson.“This match was a good chance for them to show what they can do and to learn from some of the more experienced players.”
While the experienced core provided defensive stability, the attacking line showcased the potential of the club’s youth academy. Ryan Francisco, Hugo Leonardo, Lucas Ferreira, Matheus Alves, and Felipe Negrucci were among the young players who took the field, eager to prove themselves against seasoned opponents.
“[Young players] are vrey capable of bringing a different dimension to the team, a lot of dynamism and creativity,” added the spokesperson. “We are confident in their abilities and we believe they have a bright future ahead of them.”
The quiet intensity of the match may not have produced the desired goals, but it served as a valuable learning experience for the young players and a reminder of the promising talent within São Paulo’s ranks.
A Goalless Draw: São Paulo FC’s U-20 Squad Takes Center Stage
São Paulo FC’s U-20 squad took the field against Botafogo,marking their first game back after the Copinha break. Coach Dorival Júnior opted for a lineup featuring experience mixed with young talent, prioritizing rest for starters who would face Criciúma in the Copinha semi-final later this week.
The match, ultimately ending in a goalless draw, mirrored the intentions of the evening.”The objectives of the match were achieved, which was to count on the young people from Cotia without wearing them out for the Copinha semi-final,” stated a team representative, confirming the tactical approach.
Speaking about the performance, the representative noted, “The goalless score reflects the lack of creativity in the attacking sector, but also a defence that suffered little from Botafogo’s attacks.”
Though the attack lacked its usual spark, the defense held strong. Rafael, the São Paulo goalkeeper, showcased his skills with a crucial save against Douglas Baggio’s second-half shot.In stoppage time, Ribeirão’s team mounted two hazardous attacks, pushing São Paulo’s defense. Sabino was instrumental in thwarting these attacks,clearing a ball from dangerously close to the line,narrowly avoiding a last-minute defeat.
Turning their focus to the upcoming Copinha semi-final, the team seems poised for victory. “The quintet that was on the field must be the starter in the match,” added the representative, hinting at the lineup for the pivotal clash against Criciúma.
São Paulo Opens Paulista Championship Campaign with a Goalless Draw Against Botafogo-SP
William Gomes played a discreet game and had a clear chance to finish the match. (photo: Thiago Calil/AGIF)
São Paulo and Botafogo-SP battled to a goalless draw in their opening match of the 2025 Paulista Championship. the match, played at Santa Cruz Stadium in Ribeirão Preto, saw both teams create opportunities but ultimately unable to break the deadlock.
While São Paulo fielded a youthful side featuring promising talents like William Gomes and Rodriguinho, Botafogo-SP fought valiantly, frustrating the reigning Copa do Brasil champions.Despite having few clear-cut chances, Gomes, who has been integrated into the senior squad as the end of 2023, showcased glimpses of his potential.He almost found the net in the 30th minute of the first half, but his shot sailed just wide of João Carlos’ goal.
Both teams will look to improve their performance in their next outings. São Paulo will face Guarani next Thursday, hoping to give their fans a more convincing display. Manager Zubeldía will finally have his full squad at his disposal, including experienced reinforcements, providing a formidable lineup for the upcoming challenges.
✅ TECHNICAL SHEET
BOTAFOGO-SP 0 X 0 SÃO PAULO
2nd round of the 2025 Paulista Championship
📆 Date and time: Monday, January 20, 2025, at 8 pm (Brasília time)
📍 Local: Santa Cruz Stadium, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo
🥅 Goals: —
🟨 Yellow cards: Sabiti Abdulai, Pablo Thomaz and Toró (BOT) | Ferraresi and Moreira (SAO)
🔴 Red card: —
Botafogo SP vs. São Paulo: A Clash of Titans in the Campeonato Paulista
The Estádio Santa Cruz da Barra Funda was electric on January 20th, 2025, as Botafogo SP squared off against the formidable São Paulo in a highly anticipated Campeonato Paulista clash.
Under the guidance of Maxi Cuberas,São Paulo took the field with a formidable lineup: Rafael manned the goal,with Moreira,Sabino,Arboleda,and Ferraresi forming a steadfast defensive wall. Santi Longo, Hugo (later replaced by Negrucci), and Rodriguinho orchestrated the midfield, while Henrique Carmo (subbed for Lucas Ferreira), William Gomes, and Ryan Francisco (who made way for Matheus Alves) provided attacking impetus.
Botafogo SP, led by coach Marcio Zanardi, presented a resilient squad of their own. João Carlos stood tall between the posts, guarded by Jeferson, Edson (who was substituted by Alisson Cassiano), Allyson, and Gabriel Risso. The midfield engine was driven by Gabriel Bispo (Jean Mangabeira) and Alejo Dramisino, while Leandro Maciel (replaced by Sabiti Abdulai) provided creative flair. Toró (Jonathan Cafú) injected dynamism upfront, alongside Silvinho (who yielded his place to Douglas Baggio) and Pablo Thomaz (making way for Alexandre Jesus).
The encounter promised to be a thrilling battle of skill, tactics, and unwavering determination.
How confident is hernán Crespo in the abilities of the young players coming from São Paulo’s youth academy?
Interview with Hernán Crespo, Head Coach of São Paulo FC
Host: Welcome everyone to our show. Today, we have a special guest, the head coach of São Paulo FC, Hernán Crespo. Welcome, Hernán.
Hernán crespo: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be hear.
Host: Let’s dive right in. Your team kicked off the Paulista Championship with a 0-0 draw against botafogo-SP. What are your thoughts on the match?
Hernán Crespo: Well, considering the circumstances – the mixed squad, the logistical challenges, and my absence – I think we secured a valuable point away from home. It wasn’t our best performance, but the objective of getting something out of the game was achieved.
Host: The match was characterized by a low technical level and a generally sluggish pace. Do you think this was due to the blend of experienced players and those returning from the holiday break?
Hernán Crespo: Yes, to an extent. We had players coming back from their break and some returning early from pre-season, so it was natural to see some cohesion issues.However, I also believe that both teams struggled to create clear-cut chances due to the defensive stability they offered each other.
Host: Your assistant, Maxi Cuberas, managed the team in your absence. How satisfied were you with his performance and the team’s execution of your game plan?
Hernán Crespo: I’m very satisfied with Maxi’s work. He had a tough task, balancing experiance with players still adjusting after the break. He followed the game plan we’d discussed, and while the result might not have been what we wanted, I think we can take a lot from this match in terms of learning and growth.
Host: Despite the lackluster performance,the draw puts São Paulo in second place in Group C. How do you approach the rest of the championship now, given the strong start?
Hernán Crespo: We take it one game at a time. We’re happy with our position, but we know there’s a lot of work to be done. Our next game is crucial, and we’ll prepare for it with the same mentality regardless of our current position in the table.
Host: Speaking of the next game, there was a significant focus on the young players in this match. How confident are you in their abilities, and will we see more of them in the coming games?
Hernán Crespo: Our youth academy is brimming with talent. I’m very confident in their abilities. They need experience, and they needed this kind of exposure. We’ll continue integrating them into the squad as we see fit,without rushing their development. But make no mistake, they’re very much part of our plans.
Host: Thank you, Hernán, for your time and insights. Best of luck with the rest of the championship.
Hernán Crespo: Thank you. It was a pleasure.
