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Rogerio is hugged by his teammates after Sao Paulo scored
José Rogerio de Oliveira Melo could hardly imagine what was going to happen when he woke up this Wednesday. After all, he had been left out of Sao Paulo’s squad for the match against Cesar Vallejo-PER in Pacaembu. So, less than 12 hours later, the previously relegated striker would make history in the tricolore?
“Until noon today, Rogerio was not even focused. Caldek had the flu and did not play the game where he was supposed to start, and Calleri was supposed to be a substitute. But Rogerio was called up at 12 noon, played and scored goals. These are possibilities that athletes have and can take advantage of at certain times”, said coach Edgardo Bauza.
The player’s day was more or less like this. Until the early afternoon, he had missed the match, which would have allowed Sao Paulo to advance to the group stage in the Libertadores de America. But Alan Kardec had tonsillitis and ended up with a cut. Calleri became the starter. Rogerio got his chance on the bench. He came on as a substitute in the 40th minute of the second half and scored the qualifying goal in the 43rd minute.
“When I arrived in the morning, they told me that I would stay with the team because Alan Kadic was ill. I imagined myself on the pitch. I picked up my stuff and concentrated. From that moment on, I started thinking about what I was going to do. This is a ball that we can’t let go of,” said the player himself.
“I do not believe in luck. Athletes get what they want and it changes depending on what happens in each match. Last match he didn’t play well but today he came on and scored. “I know he has the ability, he has great speed and I am happy for him and the whole team”, added the Argentine coach.
Rogerio also showed that he has the heart of a star. After all, he also scored against Goiás in the first stage of the Copa Libertadores in Sao Paulo at the end of last year’s Brazilian tournament, which is why he was upset to learn that he had been left out of Wednesday’s game.
“I was frustrated, sad. I wanted to play, but that’s how it is. I can’t be sad. When I got home, my wife was even surprised, but she gave me strength. It’s the huge love of the fans who keep asking me to play in everyone’s games and I train independently of the coach so that when the time comes I can score goals”, concluded the athlete.
Sao Paulo will return to the pitch on Sunday against Corinthians for the Liga Paulista and Rogerio should get another chance to wear the tricolore.
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