São Paulo lost 2–1 to Santos in a Brazilian Série A match on October 2, at the MorumBIS, snapping a six-month home unbeaten streak and leaving manager Dorival Júnior facing mounting pressure as injuries mount.
The Defeat That Broke a Six-Month Streak
São Paulo entered the match defending a home unbeaten run that stretched back more than six months, with their last defeat at the MorumBIS occurring against Palmeiras on March 21. Over the previous 15 home fixtures, the team had played 12 matches at their capital stadium alongside three fixtures in Campinas and Bragança Paulista, collecting eight wins and four draws in their own stadium.
That sequence collapsed when Santos secured a 2–1 victory at the MorumBIS on October 2. Luciano opened the scoring for the hosts in the 34th minute from a penalty kick after Santos defender Lucas Veríssimo pulled Rayan Francisco by the shirt. Just one minute later, Gabigol equalized for Santos, before scoring again in the second half to complete the visitors’ comeback.
São Paulo Struggles Defensively Despite Attacking Volume
São Paulo registered 19 shots on goal, forcing Santos goalkeeper Diógenes to make eight saves—including three difficult stops—to earn man-of-the-match honors. Despite the attacking volume, Dorival Júnior’s side struggled defensively. Tolói struggled during the match, while Arboleda pointed to lapses in concentration.
“I regret that we couldn’t leave with the three points,” Arboleda said. “I think the first half was marvelous; we did as the coach asked. Lamentably, we conceded two goals due to a lack of concentration.”
Dorival Júnior addressed reporters after the 12th defeat of São Paulo’s Brasileiro campaign, stating: “We are here trying to explain the inexplicable. We had opportunities and were not fortunate in the most important moment, which is the definition of the games.” He added an appeal for institutional unity: “We need all true São Paulo fans to come together. When that happens, I have no doubt this club will return to being a giant.”
An Overburdened Medical Department
Compounding the team’s on-field instability is a severe injury crisis affecting key additions. Four of the six players signed in the recent transfer window are currently sidelined, preventing Dorival Júnior from utilizing his full squad during a crucial stretch of the season.
The most severe case involves center-back Domingos Duarte, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear in his right knee during a 1–0 win over Internacional on September 19. Following surgery on September 23, Duarte faces a recovery timeline stretching into mid-2027, effectively ending his season. Right-back Aurélio Buta also underwent surgery for a meniscus injury after conservative treatment failed, keeping him out for approximately two months following just three appearances after his July arrival.
Attackers Victor Sá, who dealt with an ankle sprain in August, and Newton, who suffered thigh edema and trauma, added to the physical toll. Only Iago Borduchi and Pedro Lima have avoided injury among the arrivals, with Iago starting five matches since August. Beyond the recent signings, long-term absentees include Lucas Moura (recovering from right Achilles tendon surgery), Bobadilla (returning to partial training), and lateral Nicolas (meniscus surgery on his left knee with a recovery window slated for late November to December).
São Paulo Sits 11th Before Cruzeiro Match
Following the defeat, São Paulo sits in 11th place in the Campeonato Brasileiro standings with 36 points after 21 matches. The turnaround time for the squad is minimal. The team travels to face Cruzeiro at the Mineirão on Wednesday, October 7, at 21:30, before returning to the MorumBIS on October 10 to host Vitória.
Meanwhile, Santos climbed to seventh in the table under coach Cuca, whose side extended an away winning streak to five matches and turned their focus toward securing a Copa Libertadores qualification berth.
Questions Facing the Board
With Dorival Júnior recording 12 losses in the league and the team sitting in the lower half of the table, speculation regarding the coaching staff’s future has grown. Figures across both club leadership factions and the opposition have begun reviewing candidate lists for a potential managerial change heading into the 2027 season, depending on whether the team can engineer an immediate reversal in form during the final stretch of the campaign.
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