São Paulo beat Flamengo for the third time in 18 days and are in the semifinals of the Copa do Brasil. With a smart and safe display, Fernando Diniz’s team scored 3-0 on Wednesday at Morumbi and took a spot with a 5-1 in the aggregate. A brace from Luciano and one from Pablo ensured the goals that eliminated Rogério Ceni for the second time in the competition – Tricolor Paulista had already dispatched Fortaleza in the round of 16.
São Paulo were superior over Flamengo in November.
In three clashes, nine goals were scored and only two conceded, in addition to proving Fernando Diniz’s impressive ability to hold this red-black squad.
The coach had already been the only one to not concede goals from the team led by Jorge Jesus in 2019, with a 0-0 for the Brasileirão. Now, they won 4-1 on November 1 for the Brasileirão, 2-1 in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil, both in Maracanã, and now a 3-0 victory in Morumbi.
The qualification of São Paulo was even more painful for Rogério Ceni. The greatest idol in their history has never beaten the club as an opponent since he started his career as a coach and suffered twice in this Copa do Brasil. He was eliminated on penalties with Fortaleza in the round of 16 and now with an overwhelming aggregate of 5-1.
With the result, São Paulo will face Grêmio in the semifinals of the Copa do Brasil. Who gets a spot in the final will be defined in clashes that practically close the calendar in 2020 on 23 and 30 December. The fixture schedule will be drawn out by CBF. Palmeiras and América-MG dispute the other semi.
