Author: Soorya G
After
São Paulo against San Lorenzo in the last 16 of the Copa Sudamericana
on Thursday, coach Dorival Júnior gave promising news that lifted the spirits of São Paulo fans. Lucas Moura, now eligible, should make his debut against Atlético-MG on Sunday in the Campeonato Brasileiro.
“With calm, the tendency is for him to take part in the next game,” said the coach at a press conference after the defeat at Nuevo Gasómetro in Argentina.
Lucas Moura had his first session at the Barra Funda training center on Wednesday, working out in the gym. Alongside James Rodríguez, the striker trained on the pitch with the players who weren’t called up for the Sudamericana clash.
The pair are ineligible to take part in the Copa Sudamericana during the round of 16. São Paulo and San Lorenzo will determine their fate in next Thursday’s clash at the Morumbi stadium. In Buenos Aires, São Paulo suffered a 1-0 defeat to San Lorenzo on Thursday night. The match marked their first non-positive result in the Copa Sudamericana, which is one of the Tricolor’s main objectives this season.
Such is the priority that coach Dorival Júnior fielded a full starting line-up at the Estadio Nuevo Gasómetro. However, it’s worth noting that São Paulo are still without recent high-profile signings James Rodríguez and Lucas Moura, who are expected to make their debuts in the next game against Atlético Mineiro on Sunday.
The hosts scored early in the second half through striker Bareiro. It was the first time the Tricolor had conceded a goal in the current edition of the South American competition in seven matches. The second leg will be played at the Morumbi stadium next Thursday. São Paulo must win by two goals to advance to the quarter-finals in regulation time. San Lorenzo have the advantage in the event of a non-negative result away from home.
Tiago and Lucas will only be able to play for São Paulo in South America if the club progresses to the next stage. As they weren’t registered in time, they can’t play in the return match. A win in the second leg will allow the team to strengthen its squad with two players who have played at the highest levels of soccer.