Match of the Week Preview: Issue 3

Sao Paulo FC vs Santos FC
Thursday, October 13th
8:00pm EST

Get ready to watch one of South America’s most heated derbies as two of the continent’s most storied clubs take to the pitch in Sao Paulo, Brasil.  Yup, it’s none other than Sao Paulo vs Santos, or as the locals call it “San-Sao”!  I’ll brief you on the storied past for both clubs, the significance of the rivalry, and a list of key players to keep an eye on during the match.

The passion for futbol runs deep all over the world, but perhaps none deeper than in Brasil.  The place were the term “the beautiful game” was coined due to the flair with which the country played the game.  All of the flicks and tricks that many players fool around with on the practice field, are implemented in-game, producing jaw-dropping plays while simultaneously making their opponents look completely silly.  Undoubtedly the best at this was none other than Santos’ own Edson Arantes do Nascimento, or more commonly referred to as Pele.  The man revered as the best footballer of all-time, is the only player to have won three World Cups.  The Black Pearl has also scored the most goals in a career, for both club and country, was voted the Player of the Century by former Ballon D’or winners, and was even declared a National Treasure in 1961 by then President Janio Quadros.  In addition to Pele, the Peixi (fish), have been blessed with producing other greats, such as present day Superstar Neymar Jr., and budding youngster Gabriel (Gabigol) Barbosa, both of which ply their trade in Europe now.  As for Sao Paulo, the list of past Brazilian greats is lengthy, but can be highlighted by names such as Cafu, the Selecaos’ most capped player at 142, Casemiro currently manning the midfield for reigning Champions League Winner’s Real Madrid, and Kaka, the last Ballon D’or winner not named Messi or Ronaldo, an achievement he accomplished in 2007.

Through all of these talented players comes not just results, but record holding achievements.  For Santos, they are tied with another rival in Palmeiras with the most Brasileiro Serie A Titles with eight, tied for the most Paulista (State of Sao Paulo based football league) trophies with 21, and have won three COPA Libertadores (Champions League equivalent for South America) Titles as well.  Sao Paulo meanwhile have won six Brasileiro Serie A Titles, and are tied with none other than Santos for the most Paulista Trophies with 21, and also have also won three COPA Libertadores Titles of their own.  Thus, this rivalry has been built not just on club proximity, but on championship caliber squads, making this match so hotly contested since 1936.  And as such the stakes are high once again this season, as the Brasileiro Chevrolet campaign is hitting the home stretch with is fixture being match day 30 out of 38.  

Now historically both teams would be battling for three points in an attempt to get ever closer to Brasileiro Title supremacy, but this year is a little different.  Santos is in the hunt, currently fourth in the standings and just six points back of Palmeiras, but Sao Paulo is sitting 14th and just three points above relegation.  This folks I can assure you can be seen as an aberration, as Sao Paulo is one of just five teams in Brasil to have never been relegated.  Santos being one of the other four.  But even despite Sao Paulo’s struggles this season, largely due to some key players from last years’s squad leaving for bigger paydays abroad, this matchup will be fierce. It will be raucous inside the stadium, and every point will count. Whether its for Santos aiming to stay in the title race or Sao Paulo attempting to avoid the danger zone that is the bottom four.  

Therefore, some key players to watch for Santos are the creative attacking midfielder Lucas Lima, and the fine wine forward Ricardo Oliveira.  Look for these two to link up throughout the match as they lead the line to an offensive attack that ranks second behind Palmeiras in goals scored this season with 47.  As for Sao Paulo, expect the squad to feed off of the intensity descending from the Morumbi stands.  They’ll be sure to come out energetic, put perhaps over zealous, which is why the attention needs to be focused on captain Maicon.  He’s a trusty centerhalf, with 116 FC Porto caps to his name. He will need to keep the defensive shape of Sao Paulo, because if they get stretched, then the high scoring Pexie will pounce.  Offensively for Sao Paulo, they’ll need to rely heavily on Michael Batos, a midfielder credited with over 200 European club caps.  Batos will need to create some magic moving forward because its been tough offensively this campaign without the recently departed Alan Kardec, Alexandre Pato, and Paulo Henrique Ganso providing additional goalscoring support.

LSB Prediction: 2-1 Santos FC