Why This Training Restart Matters for São Paulo’s 2025 Season

After a month-long hiatus during the FIFA World Cup, São Paulo FC’s technical staff prioritized individual fitness assessments and tactical drills during Tuesday’s session. According to club sources, the focus areas included:

• Physical recovery: Players underwent baseline fitness tests to evaluate their conditioning levels post-World Cup, with particular attention to midfielders and defenders who played extended minutes in Qatar.
• Tactical alignment: Head coach Vitor Pereira led discussions on formation adjustments, with reports suggesting a possible return to a 4-2-3-1 system following last season’s experiments with three-at-the-back.
• Injury monitoring: The club confirmed two players remain sidelined—Arrascaeta (knee rehabilitation) and Calleri (ankle sprain)—with both expected to rejoin training by January 20.

This restart comes as São Paulo faces a challenging domestic schedule, beginning with a January 25 derby against Palmeiras in the Campeonato Paulista. The club’s Copa Libertadores campaign kicks off February 26 against LDU Quito in Ecuador.

Key Players Returning from World Cup Duty

While the full squad participated, several standout performers from the World Cup returned to São Paulo’s training complex:

• Luan Garcia (20 caps, 2 goals): The defensive midfielder completed his World Cup campaign with Brazil and will now focus on regaining match rhythm for the Paulista opener.
• Rafinha (18 caps, 1 assist): The left-back played every minute of Brazil’s tournament and will transition to São Paulo’s defensive structure.
• Jardel (1 goal in World Cup): The striker’s return to form will be critical against Palmeiras, where he scored 12 goals last season.

Club medical staff emphasized that players will follow individualized recovery protocols, with some—particularly those who played in multiple World Cup matches—undergoing additional cardiac monitoring.

How São Paulo’s Pre-Season Compares to Rivals

São Paulo’s restart timing places them slightly behind some Brazilian rivals:

While Palmeiras and Flamengo have already completed two full training sessions, São Paulo’s later restart aligns with their more gradual return-to-play approach following the World Cup. “We’re not in a rush,” said a club spokesperson. “The priority is ensuring players are match-ready when it counts.”

What Happens Next: São Paulo’s Immediate Schedule

São Paulo’s confirmed fixtures for the next 30 days:

• January 25, 2025 (21:30 UTC-3 / 00:30 UTC): Campeonato Paulista – São Paulo vs. Palmeiras (Morumbi Stadium)
• January 29, 2025 (19:30 UTC-3 / 22:30 UTC): Campeonato Paulista – São Paulo vs. Santos (Morumbi Stadium)
• February 2, 2025 (17:00 UTC-3 / 20:00 UTC): Campeonato Paulista – São Paulo vs. Corinthians (Arena Corinthians)
• February 26, 2025 (19:30 UTC-3 / 22:30 UTC): Copa Libertadores – São Paulo vs. LDU Quito (Morumbi Stadium)

The January 25 Palmeiras match will serve as São Paulo’s first true test, with tactical decisions against their city rivals expected to set the tone for the Paulista campaign. “This is our first real opportunity to gauge our fitness and cohesion,” said a team source.

FAQ: What São Paulo Fans Should Know

Q: Will World Cup players be fully fit for the Palmeiras game?

A: Most players are expected to be match-ready, though some—particularly those who played in Brazil’s knockout stages—will start the game as substitutes to ensure freshness. The medical team has ruled out any major injury concerns.

Q: What formation will São Paulo use against Palmeiras?

A: While no official confirmation exists, reports suggest a return to the 4-2-3-1 system used in last season’s Copa Libertadores knockout stages, with Pereira likely deploying Luan Garcia as the deep-lying playmaker.

Q: How does São Paulo’s pre-season compare to last year’s?

A: Last season, São Paulo began training January 5, 2024, and played their first game January 14. This year’s later restart reflects the extended World Cup break, with the club adding an extra week of preparation compared to 2024.