The Day I Played with Ronaldo

In the new season of the Brazilian League, Sao Paulo's first opponent is their old enemy Santos.

The San-Sao derby between Sao Paulo and Santos is one of the most famous derbys in Brazil, and Sao Paulo is in the limelight, Santos is recovering strongly, and the grievances between the two teams last season make this game a lot to watch.

Compared with the several matches last season and the matches in the state league this season, before this game, the smell of gunpowder between the two sides was particularly strong.

Both teams are ambitious to win this season's Brazilian Championship, so the first confrontation is of course very important. Although it cannot be said that it will affect the subsequent league progress, the winning side will obviously have a psychological advantage, while the losing side will definitely have a psychological advantage. Morale is likely to take a hit.

Santos' new coach Abel Braga said at the pre-match press conference: "I have respect for Sao Paulo, and I have respect for Rojas, but after the last few games, I don't think Sao Paulo is invincible. ...as long as we keep playing our football, we have a chance to win the three points at home."

"Ricardo and Kaka, the media have praised them enough, they don't need my praise. They are very good players, but Santos also has very good players. Robinho and Diego have improved compared to last season. Having improved a lot, they are the hope of Santos' revival."

Asked about his goals for the new season, Abel Braga smiled and said: "I think Santos deserves something this season. Of course, we have to play game by game and we will try to get one game after another. One win, and by the end of the season, hopefully we can have a better position in the standings."

Santos players were also sharp in interviews.

Robinho said: "After the tempering of last season, we have recognized our own strength. This season we are very confident to get a better ranking. In this game, we will not accept any results other than victory at home. .”

Diego also said: "Sao Paulo is an excellent team, but I hope people can see that we are actually better."

Captain Renato said: "Kaka is a very good player, as is Ricardo, but I don't think they are better than Robinho and Diego. In the game, I will give them a good lesson of."

Santos' new aid, central defender Andre Luiz who just joined from Fluminense, is also full of pride: "I will not let Ricardo and Kaka score in front of me in this game."

Nor can it be said that they are talking big. In the analysis of the media, the current Sao Paulo and Santos should be evenly matched. Sao Paulo's attack line is slightly stronger, but Santos' defense is more stable.

And this game is Santos playing at home, so there is no doubt that Santos will have the upper hand.

Scoreboard columnist Adrian Jesus said: "The unlucky Sao Paulo will lose in the first game of the new season. They are no longer the team that won third place last season. Many important players such as Putista left, and a group of inexperienced young people stepped up. Santos' lineup remained relatively complete, and there was a strong player like Andre Luiz joining in the defense. The actual combat ability has been raised to a higher level."

"When the two teams met last season, they were inseparable. In the end, Sao Paulo was lucky to win. But this season, one goes up and down, and Santos is expected to get revenge."

Ricardo scoffed at what Adrian Jesus said. He said in an interview: "That person predicted that I would not score more than 10 goals this season. Now I have played 12 times and scored 19 goals. So I want to ask you, why do you still listen to what he said? ? Obviously he's bullshitting."

Adrien Jesus was also angered, and he responded in the column: "If Sao Paulo wins in this game and Ricardo scores a goal, I will publicly apologize in the column!"

Because of this series of war of words,

Before the game officially started, the atmosphere had already reached its peak.

At least 8,000 fans flocked to Santos. However, the Caldera Stadium, which can accommodate 20,000 fans, only allocated 3,000 tickets to the visiting team this time. 5,000 Sao Paulo fans and a similar number of Santos fans could only stay outside the stadium.

Under the watchful eyes of the Santos police, there was no fight between the fans of the two sides, but verbal provocations and verbal conflicts between them were still indispensable.

Inside the stadium, there was even a din of people, and the noise of the fans interrupted Rojas, who was making final arrangements in the visiting team's locker room, several times.

Rojas tapped on the tactical board, and after attracting the players' attention, he said loudly: "Gentlemen, I have arranged everything that should be arranged. But I cannot replace you in the game. The significance of this game , I believe you all understand that when you are on the court, I hope you can be worthy of the jerseys you wear and the fans who come from afar to support us!"

"I hope you can do your best and give everything. I don't accept defeat or a draw. All I want is victory!"

"Victory! Victory!" The players yelled, with veins on their foreheads, hideous faces, and hoarse voices. Licado also felt his blood rushing up, waved his fists and shouted.

"Let's play!" Rojas walked to the door of the locker room first, and the players came out one by one.

In the player tunnel, they met the Santos team. The players of the two teams were no strangers to each other. At this time, some of the players who had a good relationship greeted each other, and some of them who had accumulated some grievances were glaring at each other.

"Congratulations, Ricardo, you have been selected for the national team."

Ricardo turned his head and saw that it was Robinho who was talking, so he smiled and said, "Don't worry, you'll be here soon."

Robinho approached and patted Licardo affectionately on the back: "The beach in Santos is the most beautiful this season, and there are so many beauties in bikinis that people can't take their eyes off. Don't rush back after the game, let's go to the beach Have a party."

"I don't care, but if you lose the game, are you still in the mood to have a party?" Licado laughed.

"Hey, you must be the losers." Robinho refused to admit defeat.

Ricardo raised his eyebrows: "Then just wait and see."

The two stopped the war of words and waited quietly for their appearance.

After queuing up to shake hands, take pictures, and guess sides, Santos kicked off first.

The commentator is analyzing the rosters of both sides: "Today, Santos' lineup is relatively complete. Compared with the two rounds of last season's playoffs, they only replaced Pereira with the newly joined central defender Andre Luis. After a season of cooperation, this team has a very tacit understanding with each other."

"And Sao Paulo's roster has changed a lot..."