Dorival Júnior returns as São Paulo X Millonarios opens Group C race
São Paulo x Millonarios comes with Dorival Júnior back on the sideline and Group C compressed at the top. The teams meet Tuesday at 21h30 at Morumbis in the fifth round of the Copa Sul-Americana group stage, with São Paulo leading by one point.
Dorival Júnior at Morumbis
For Dorival, it is a re-debut in his third spell as São Paulo coach. He is expected not to make major changes to the usual starting team, and that keeps the focus on continuity rather than a reset in a match that can affect the group order immediately.
São Paulo leads Group C with eight points. O'Higgins and Millonarios each have seven, so a single result can reshape the top of the section without needing help elsewhere. That margin is thin enough to make every point in this round count.
Alan Franco and Luciano
Alan Franco and Luciano have returned from the medical department and are expected to start. Their availability gives São Paulo two more options in a match that already carries more pressure because of the standings, while Marcos Antônio, Rafael Tolói, Pablo Maia, Lucas and Maik are out.
Marcos Antônio is sidelined with a right rectus femoris muscle issue, Tolói with pain in his left calf, and Pablo Maia remains unavailable while recovering physical condition after a facial fracture. Lucas is out after a ruptured Achilles tendon, leaving Dorival with a trimmed pool even before considering the rest of the absences.
Millonarios without Falcao
Millonarios arrives with six matches without a defeat, including four wins and two draws, and one of those draws came against São Paulo. The Colombian side last lost to América de Cali about a month ago in the Colombian Championship, even though it was eliminated there and remains in the Copa Colombia.
Radamel Falcao García will miss the match after suffering a facial fracture. The 40-year-old striker's absence removes the most recognizable name in the visitors' attack, but Millonarios has still carried its run into this group-stage test.
Kevin Ortega of Peru will referee the match, with Michael Orue and Jesus Sanchez as assistant referees, Daniel Ureta as the fourth official, and Carlos Orbe of Ecuador on VAR. The game will be shown on SBT, and Disney+, giving supporters three viewing options as Group C tightens again.
