South America's Recopa - Sao Paulo vs Boca - 14.09.2006

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Last year's Libertadores winner Sao Paulo faces Argentina's Boca Juniors at the Morumbi Stadium, in the second leg of the South American Recopa. The Brazilian team is trying to come back from the 2-1 loss it suffered in Buenos Aires last week, and also to regain some confidence after failing to defeat a nine-men Corinthians team last Sunday, when the team played with the numerical advantage for most of the game. Lenilson will remain on the team playing in midfield instead of Danilo. Coach Muricy Ramalho hasn't determined his formation yet, and could opt to use Souza as right back, moving Leandro to his natural position in attack alongside Aloisio. However, he may instead field forward Thiago with Aloisio, playing Leandro as right back in place of Souza. Boca will have right-back Ibarra returning to the team from injury, while midfielder and captain Battaglia will probably be replaced by Ledesma due to another injury. Coach Alfio Basile makes his last game ahead of the popular Argentine club. After the game he will dedicate his time exclusively to the Argentina National team, being replaced at Boca by former Mexico's coach Ricardo Lavolpe, who's Argentine. Due to Basile's farewell, team players have promised to fight to the end to guarantee the team its 16th international title.

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Re: South America's Recopa - Sao Paulo vs Boca - 14.09.2006 Well, a 2-2 draw gave Boca the title. Sao Paulo learned in the dressing room it would be without its two forwards, Aloisio and Leandro, and had to improvise a midfielder - Lenilson - ahead with the other striker, Thiago. The team still scored first, but was never that dangerous or impressive, and could have even lost this game. A very worrying sign for the team fans, which may now be afraid the team may yet lose its lead in the Brazilian League this coming Sunday, when it faces second-place Internacional in the rematch of the Libertadores final. Sao Paulo is clearly in poor form, as the loss to Boca last week and then consecutive draws at home against Corinthians (with 9 men) and Boca yesterday would suggest. By the way, for those who believe in coincidences, there might be a good chance the team finishes in second-place in the Brazilian League. It has finished in that position in all three tournaments it took place in this year (Sao Paulo State championship, Libertadores and now the Recopa). Cheers, Carlos