James Rodríguez is received with celebration and provocation to Corinthians

James Rodriguez it arrived. After a long negotiation with the São Paulo, the midfielder, announced on Saturday (29), is in São Paulo. He landed at Congonhas airport late this Sunday night (30) and felt the warmth of the São Paulo team’s fans, who were there to welcome him and provoked rival Corinthians.

São Paulo and Corinthians decide to qualify for the final of the Copa do Brasil, in a return game scheduled for August 16th. In the first leg, at Neo Química Arena, Corinthians won 2-0. James’ team needs a goal to take the decision to penalties. If you win by two or more goals difference, you get the vacancy. The duel will be at Morumbi.

Upon James’ arrival, the São Paulo fans did not miss the chance to provoke the Corinthians. As soon as the midfielder passed through the lobby of the Guarulhos International Airport, the fans began to sing a song making a comparison between the new tricolor reinforcement and Renato Augusto, a highlight of the São Paulo rival, saying that the Corinthians number 8 never played with Benzema, whose side James played for Real Madrid.

São Paulo fans are excited about the possibility that the player will be able to play in the second leg. But that is not yet decided. If he stays on the bench, it will already be a breakthrough. James needs to get back to training and prepare better physically. He struggles with injuries.

“I’m happy. It’s a great opportunity for me and my family. It’s a new phase in my life. I’m very happy and with a lot of good feelings. I’m a guy who likes to play in a big team, and São Paulo is a team great”, said James about his arrival at the Morumbi club. His arrival is so important that the club’s president, Júlio Casares, was at the airport to welcome him.

São Paulo competes in three competitions: Brasileirão, Sudamericana and Copa do Brasil. Dorival Júnior will be introduced to the Colombian this Monday. On Thursday, the team faces San Lorenzo, away from home, for the South American tournament.

After leaving the airport, James Rodríguez made contact with the only player in the São Paulo squad with whom he has played. In a quick telephone conversation, the Colombian spoke with the winger and captain Rafinha, who was James’ partner during the period in which the Colombian midfielder played for Bayern Munich.

After São Paulo’s match against Bahia for the Brasileirão last weekend, Rafinha assumed that James got in touch with him asking about São Paulo and that he was very happy with the Colombian’s choice to play for the Morumbi club.

HOW WILL JAMES RODRÍGUEZ PLAY

The arrival of the Colombian midfielder gives an option that Dorival Júnior does not have in its squad. If in the first moment of the year, still with Rogério Ceni in charge, the team bet on speed plays, with Dorival the team started to have more ball and bet on worked plays with exchange of passes in the middle.

In this way, the new sock appears as a good option. With São Paulo playing in the last matches with a line of three midfielders and Calleri more advanced, Rodriguez would compete with Luciano, Michel Araújo, Wellington Rato, Nestor and even Alisson. On Monday, he will be introduced to his new teammates.

If you think about changing the team’s tactical scheme or the design of the midfield, Dorival can use James more freely on the field. If he opts for a 4-4-2, the coach has the alternative of protecting the defensive part with three defensive midfielders and leaving the Colombian midfielder freer to touch the two attackers. If you prefer São Paulo with two defensive midfielders and two midfielders, the coach can form the offensive midfielder by choosing between the Colombian, Nestor, Michel Araújo and Wellington Rato to fill one of the two positions closest to the attacking duo.

Despite this, according to São Paulo, James Rodríguez has not played since April, when he left Olympiacos, and will need at least 15 to 20 days to get conditions and be available. Only after this period should it be used by the technician.