São Paulo’s Director after Defeat: ‘Silence for the Shame We Endured’

After the match, Rui Costa was the only executive to speak to the press. Julio Casares, Carlos Belmonte, and Nelson Ferreira did not travel with the delegation and stayed in São Paulo. On the other hand, Marcio Carlomagno and Fernando Chapecó did make the trip. Following the game, midfielder Luiz Gustavo expressed strong feelings on the sidelines, stating that the Tricolor’s performance was a ‘mess’ and that ‘people need to come forward and take responsibility.’ ‘We have to be here speaking, apologizing as many times as necessary. It’s a very tough moment for all of us. The locker room is in complete silence due to the shame we experienced today and the embarrassment we caused our fans. The people of São Paulo do not deserve this,’ said Rui Costa. Thursday’s result in Rio dashed any hopes for São Paulo to finish the year in the top 7. To qualify for the pre-Libertadores, the team would need to finish eighth and rely on a favorable outcome from either Cruzeiro or Fluminense in the Copa do Brasil.