Football Season Guide

São Paulo failed to qualify to Libertadores, last season, which is a sign of an unsuccessful season. Tricolor showed a big tendency for drawing (15 draws in 38 games), dropping points in games they were supposed to win. São Paulo suffered a lot with injury problems throughout the entire season. São Paulo was knocked-out from Paulistão on the quarter-finals by the modest Água Santa. In continental competition, Tricolor started the Sul-Americana group stage with a convincing away win in Argentina. Rogério Ceni will continue ahead of São Paulo. The club's icon will be having his third consecutive season at the club, and is now more than just a gaffer, as he dictates the future of many aspects of the club. With Ceni at the helm, there's always a preference for low profile players. Atlético MG's second choice keeper Rafael was brought to be the new no. 1 at Morumbi; Alan Franco looks a steady option for the back; Caio Paulista was a sensible acquisition for the left wing-back position, after the departures of Patrick and Reinaldo. Erison, David, Wellington Rato and Marcos Paulo are new good options for attack. Ceni kept most of his preferred players from last season, which will allow him to build on the slow but steady progresses made last season. The attacking duo formed by Luciano and Calleri remains the team's strongest weapon. Despite having a long term coach on the job, São Paulo doesn't seem to have found a strong identity, both in style and in organization. Calleri remains the absolute reference of the team, and São Paulo always plays around him, in attack. Rodrigo Nestor is the sole player left from the excellent Cotía boys of 5 years ago, and is expected to shine during the current season. Galoppo is finally showing his value after some disappointing first months at the club, last season.