Part 3/7:
Despite a flicker of hope, the general atmosphere surrounding São Paulo’s preparations for the showdown is one of dwindling perspective. Locally, the team has been struggling with a series of injuries and, significantly, a decline in enthusiasm for their matches ever since securing a mid-table position that appears unshakeable. Comparisons have been drawn with the troubled journey of Fortaleza, emphasizing that teams can struggle unexpectedly when not focusing fully on their objectives.