The descent theme is now part of the past for Sao Paulo
And it is because in recent weeks, they have been accompanied by good results. This Saturday, for example, the 'Tricolor' beat Atletico Goianiense 1-0 on matchday 32 of Brasileirao.
Hernanes scored the only goal of the match at 22 minutes of the first half with an assist from Lucas Pratto. Peruvian Christian Cueva also participated in the play, with a pass to Petros.
Sao Paulo had the majority of ball possession but couldn't score again. However, they took the three points and currently sit in ninth place with 49 points, close to the qualifying spots for international tournaments.
The team led by Dorival Junior will go into the break for FIFA dates with the confidence of an ascending game. Cueva will join the Peruvian National Team in the next few hours for the playoff matches against New Zealand.
Sao Paulo vs. Atletico Goianiense: This is how they played
Atletico Goianiense: Marcos, Breno, Gilvan, William, Jonathan, André, Paulinho, Andrigo, Igor, Luiz Fernando, and Walter
Sao Paulo: Sidão; Araruna, Rodrigo Caio, Arboleda, and Edimar; Jucilei, Petros, Hernanes, and Cueva; Marcos Guilherme and Pratto
PREVIEW OF THE MATCH
Sao Paulo and Atletico Goianiense have very different realities in Brasileirao. On one hand, 'Aladino' Cueva's team is in 11th place in the table with 40 points out of 90 possible. Despite these numbers, the 'Tricolor' has a great goal in mind: the 2018 Copa Libertadores.
| Country | Time |
| Peru | 16:00 |
| Mexico | 15:00 |
| Colombia | 16:00 |
| Ecuador | 16:00 |
| Argentina | 18:00 |
| Chile | 18:00 |
Only one point separates them from the seventh position, which grants direct qualification to the international competition. But first, they will have to win everything in front of them. Beating Atletico Goianiense away promises to be a great incentive.
To achieve this, Christian Cueva will have to be as sharp as last week when he had a great match and even scored a great goal for a victory that secured a spot for the next Sudamericana.
On the other side is Goianiense, a team that sits at the bottom of the standings and is in serious danger of relegation in Brasileirao.
Sao Paulo vs. Atletico Goianiense: probable line-ups
Sao Paulo: Sidão; Militão, Rodrigo Caio, Arboleda, and Edimar; Petros, Jucilei, and Hernanes; Cueva, Marcos Guilherme, and Lucas Pratto.
Atletico Goianense: Felipe; André, Roger Carvalho, Gilvan, and Bruno Pacheco; Silva, Igor, Breno, Jorginho, and Andrigo; Walter.