Author: Soorya G
In the last game of the Campeonato Brasileiro, against Coritiba, São Paulo striker Alexandre Pato was left out of the team, marking the third time in the last four games that he hasn’t even been on the bench.
Previously, he was not included in the team for the two matches against Flamengo in the Copa do Brasil final. Dorival Júnior’s preference for other players seems to be distancing Pato from renewing his contract with São Paulo. The striker’s contract only runs until December, and there are no automatic renewal clauses, only financial bonuses for targets set.
Pato joined São Paulo in the middle of the season, when he was a free agent following the end of his contract with Orlando City in the USA. He receives a relatively low salary, along with the specified bonuses. Although he is loved by the fans, Pato has yet to convince Dorival. He played in 10 games, starting only one – against Flamengo in the Brazilian Championship, when the coach used substitutes.
In Sunday’s Copa do Brasil final at Morumbi, Dorival opted to have David and Juan on the bench, as well as Luciano, who is one of the team’s main players. In the most important matches of the season, Pato only played against San Lorenzo, in Argentina, in the round of 16 of the Copa Sudamericana.
After the 2-1 defeat to América-MG, in which he scored a goal, Pato expressed his desire for more playing time, saying: “It gives me a certain anxiety to play, I also wanted more minutes, but it’s up to the coach. I have to take my chances. I’ve been working hard to be there when the opportunities arise.”
His complaint had little effect. Since then, he has played against Internacional and Fortaleza, coming on after 35 minutes in both matches. Against Coritiba, Dorival opted for Juan and Luciano up front, with David and Calleri on the bench.
“Pato continues to work hard, intensifying, and when I feel the need to put him in… I’ve always been very fond of the athlete, there’s no way I could think otherwise. At the moment, I’m prioritizing those who, in my view, are a little ahead and trying to get the best out of them“, explained the coach.