São Paulo got some good news for the final of the Copa do Brasil this Thursday (14). Arboleda underwent an imaging test and had no muscle injury detected on the back of his left thigh. According to a statement from the club, the defender has fibrosis at the site.
While the squad trained in Porto Alegre after the 2-1 defeat to Inter, last Wednesday (13), Arboleda underwent treatment at CT da Barra Funda. He will be reevaluated daily until the match against Flamengo. São Paulo faces Rubro-Negro on Sunday (17), at 4pm (Brasília time), in the first game of the Copa do Brasil final.
On his Instagram account, the defender made a post that reassured and gave hope to fans. In stories, Arboleda appears undergoing treatment, with the following caption:
– We are fine. Thank God.
Substituted during the clash between Ecuador and Uruguay due to pain in the back of his left thigh, defender Arboleda underwent an imaging test this Thursday morning that did not detect a muscle injury, but fibrosis at the site.
The player has already started…
— São Paulo FC (@SaoPauloFC) September 14, 2023
The importance of Arboleda
Arboleda is one of the leadership references and also on the field for Dorival Júnior’s team. The defender played in 33 matches this season, and the numbers show how important he is for São Paulo’s defensive solidity.
In the 33 games with Arboleda, the team conceded 22 goals, with an average of 0.66 goals per game. Without the Ecuadorian on the field, Tricolor played 20 times and conceded 20 goals. Average of one goal per game.
The pains of Arboleda
Arboleda felt a twinge in his left thigh in the 25th minute of Ecuador’s 2-1 victory over Uruguay, last Tuesday (12), in Quito. He was replaced and left the field desolate, with his hands over his face. The defender arrived in Brazil on Wednesday.
Dorival Júnior Options
If Arboleda is unable to play on Sunday, Dorival Júnior has Diego Costa and Alan Franco as options to form a pair with Beraldo against Flamengo. In the 2-1 defeat to Inter, last Wednesday (14), Diego Costa was chosen by the coach to start.
Ferraresi, in turn, is already training normally with the group, having recovered from surgery on his right knee. But he still isn’t capable of playing, much less being a starter.
São Paulo faces Flamengo next Sunday (17), at 4pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã in the first game of the Copa do Brasil final. The return is scheduled for the following Sunday, also at 4pm, in Morumbi.
