The São Paulo players Rafinha and Calleri commented, this Monday (28), the possibility of winning the unprecedented title of the Copa do Brasil for the club. The draw was held at CBF headquarters, in Rio de Janeiro, and defined that São Paulo will decide the final at home, at the Morumbi stadium, on September 24th.
“The truth is that for us it is an event that the club has not had for 20 years, it is an unprecedented title for the club. Being here is representative, I am happy to take São Paulo to another final. We will play against a great club, but we really want to take the cup to São Paulo, hopefully it will be the year”, said Calleri.
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In a relaxed tone, Rafinha joked about São Paulo’s trajectory in the Copa do Brasil. Along the way, the team faced Ituano-SP, Sport, Palmeiras and Corinthians. The list has three clubs from São Paulo, two of which are rivals, in addition to the team from Pernambuco, champion in 2008.
“It’s no use deciding at home if you don’t play a good game. All the precautions Flamengo will take, São Paulo will too. No one can sleep because they end up compromising. There will be two high-level games. The teams will study each other, Flamengo knows us, São Paulo knows Flamengo.”
The last time Tricolor Paulista reached the decision of the competition was in 2000. In the 2022 edition, the team was eliminated in the semifinals by the same Flamengo, which had coach Dorival Jr. If he becomes champion, Dorival will lift the cup for third time. Even so, he made a point of praising the importance of what would be the title for São Paulo.
“More important than the personal conquest, will be the conquest of a club. I am very pleased to have had a job ahead of Flamengo, rival in the final, but for me what will mark is the possibility of another final dispute. It’s my fourth, the main thing is that I can satisfy the club. Flamengo and São Paulo arrived on merit. There is no favoritism. The decision will be up to their fight on fields in these two matches that will be memorable”, he said.
In an edition that had record awards, the CBF will pay R$ 100 million just for the final of the Copa Betano do Brasil: R$ 70 million for the champion and R$ 30 million for the runner-up.
