Oscar Returns as São Paulo Faces Fortaleza Amidst Struggles

FORTALEZA, CE — São Paulo midfielder Oscar will return to the bench during Thursday’s match against Fortaleza after being sidelined for two and a half months due to a serious vertebra injury. The match kicks off at 7:30 PM local time at the Arena Castelão.

Coach Hernán Crespo confirmed that while Oscar is not ready to play a full match, his presence could help address the team’s recent goal drought as they seek to revive their creative play. “I want to be careful with him because I want to have him for a long time,” Crespo said after the team suffered a defeat against Ceará last week. “Here, there are no superheroes; we need to take our time.”

Despite Crespo’s earlier reluctance to rush Oscar back onto the field, the team’s ongoing struggles have necessitated a change. São Paulo has faced four consecutive defeats, placing them in need of urgent improvement to remain competitive in the league.

Oscar’s return is seen as crucial; although he has only played in 21 out of 53 matches this season, he ranks as the second top assister for the team with five assists. His last appearance in an official match was on July 19 against Corinthians.

The coach mentioned that the team has faced challenges in training due to limited time between games, which has not allowed effective practice sessions. “In training, we’ve been focusing on tactical exercises rather than full-sided matches, and that affects a player’s return to the field,” Crespo explained.

Oscar’s comeback coincides with the need for offensive reinforcements after the underperformance of other players, including Rodriguinho and physical setbacks for Lucas and Marcos Antônio.

<p“Getting Oscar back is important, but it will be gradual; he’ll start with shorter minutes at first,” Crespo stated.

The return of Marcos Antônio, who has overcome a minor injury, further supports the team’s efforts as they aim to turn their season around. The São Paulo team will look to end their poor streak and capitalize on both players’ abilities for the upcoming match against Fortaleza, who are also trying to climb out of the relegation zone.

The match is crucial for both teams, as São Paulo sits in eighth place with 35 points, while Fortaleza currently struggles in the second-to-last position in the league.