São Paulo suffered a 3-2 defeat to Corinthians in a classic match on Sunday (10), and head coach Roger Machado did not hold back in his post-game analysis. The Tricolor manager explained what he believes led to the loss, highlighting critical moments where his team lost control of the game.
“What really worried me were the moments we stepped out of the match—not just because of the opponent’s quality, but because we handed the ball to Corinthians without taking good care of it. We committed mistakes that, at this level, you cannot make against a team playing at home with their fans pushing them hard,” Machado said.
He added, “There were very few times we managed to attack behind their defense. Conceding goals early in the second half gave the opponent confidence. I made changes to bring more balance. At some points, the game became dangerous, but the 3-2 score shows we probably didn’t deserve better luck given the number of errors we made, and the opponent knew how to capitalize.”
Machado also addressed the mounting pressure surrounding his position. While there is no current discussion of dismissal, and the team is set to focus on the Copa do Brasil decider on Wednesday, he was candid about the scrutiny he faces.
“I don’t feel it, but I know I’ve been under pressure since before I even arrived. These two months have been a daily focus on improvement, trying to show the São Paulo fans the football they want—more consistency, less instability in a competition where circumstances can sometimes slip out of your control,” he stated.
The defeat leaves São Paulo in a challenging spot, and Machado’s comments reflect both frustration and a determination to turn things around. The team now turns its attention to the upcoming cup fixture, where a strong response will be expected.
