Does Calleri play today? Where to watch Fluminense x São Paulo at 8:30 pm for the Brasileirão

Jonathan Calleri remains out of São Paulo for this Thursday’s clash against Fluminense. The Argentine striker was not listed by coach Hernán Crespo due to recovery from surgery on the cruciate ligament in his left knee. The official lineup has not yet been released, but sources close to the coaching staff indicate that he remains in physical transition. The game, scheduled for 8:30 pm on Maracanã, for the 36th round of Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, takes on the shape of a decision for both teams in the fight for a place in Libertadores 2026.

• Fluminense has 55 points in 7th place and needs a draw to qualify
• São Paulo has 48 points in 8th and depends on victory to reach the G-8
• Calleri hasn’t played since the first round, with an injury that took him out for the entire final stretch of the season
• Match not broadcast on open TV, only paid channels

The reunion between Crespo, former coach of Flu, and the current manager of Luis Zubeldía adds extra spice to the interstate classic.

Where to watch live and streaming options

Fans eager for kick-off can tune in to Premiere for full pay-per-view. The sportv channel offers closed TV coverage, with detailed narration of the moves. Para For those who prefer mobility, the channels’ official apps allow streaming in real time.

ge continues with minute-by-minute monitoring, including exclusive post-goal videos. Não there is an open free option, which directs the public towards digital subscriptions.

Fluminense probable lineup with returns

Luis Zubeldía adjusts the team with reinforcements from the last round. Thiago Silva returns to defense after preservation on Palmeiras’s synthetic turf. Renê returns from suspension and Lucho Acosta enters due to muscular load control.

The midfield gains solidity with Martinelli and Hércules anchoring the actions. Time probable: Fábio; Samuel Xavier, Thiago Silva, Freytes and Renê; Martinelli, Hércules and Lucho Acosta; Serna, Canobbio and Everaldo.

• Absences due to injury: Germán Cano and Manoel remain in the medical department
• Hanging players: Canobbio, Everaldo, Fábio, Freytes, Lucho Acosta and coach
• Everaldo leads the tricolor artillery with 11 goals in the competition

Fluminense, unbeaten in four games, is looking for its ninth home win in Série A.

Absences of São Paulo and absence of Calleri

Hernán Crespo deals with a marathon of casualties in the São Paulo squad. Jonathan Calleri, top scorer with 14 goals this year, is not part of those listed due to the slow post-surgery recovery. The injured list includes names like Luciano, Ferreira and Oscar, as well as the suspended Rafael and Sabino.

Ferreira traveled as a doubt after swelling in his thigh, but should start on the bench. Escalação probable: Young; Ferraresi, Rafael Tolói and Alan Franco; Maik, Pablo Maia, Bobadilla, Marcos Antônio and Patryck; Rigoni and Tapia.

• Extensive injuries: Luciano (leg pain), Ferreira (thigh edema), Oscar (syncope), Lucas (knee), Dinenno (knee), Calleri (knee ligament), Ryan Francisco (ligament and meniscus), André Silva (knee ligaments)
• Suspended: Rafael and Sabino for the third yellow card
• Hanging: Cédric, Bobadilla, Rodriguinho and Dinenno on alert for the last round

The São Paulo attack depends on improvisation with Tapia in the reference.

History of clashes between the tricolors

The Tricolores classic has played 108 official matches over the years. São Paulo has a historic advantage with 47 wins against 37 for Fluminense and 24 draws. No first round of 2025, the São Paulo team won 3-1 in Morumbi, with a goal from Calleri before the injury.

In Maracanã, the balance persists, but Flu has not lost to its rival in three games. Esses duels often decide positions in the table, as in 2021 by Libertadores.

• Last five games: São Paulo 3 x 1 Fluminense (2025, 1st round); Fluminense 0 x 0 São Paulo (2024); São Paulo 3 x 1 Fluminense (2024); Fluminense 1 x 0 São Paulo (2023); São Paulo 0 x 0 Fluminense (2023)
• Goals in history: 163 from São Paulo against 142 from Flu
• Highest score: Fluminense 5 x 1 São Paulo in 1971

The interstate rivalry heats up with the proximity in the current table.

Recent form of Fluminense in Série A

Tricolor from Rio shows consistency in the last rounds. Enfrentou the G-4 in a row and left undefeated, adding victories over Mirassol and Flamengo. Empates with Cruzeiro and Palmeiras show defensive maturity.

Coach Zubeldía praises the adaptation to the tight schedule. Casa playing at Maracanã boosts performance, averaging 2.1 goals per game as home team.

• Last five: Palmeiras 0 x 0 Fluminense; Fluminense 2 x 1 Flamengo; Cruzeiro 1 x 1 Fluminense; Fluminense 3 x 0 Mirassol; Atlético-MG 1 x 2
• General sequence: Quatro games without defeat, with two clean sheets
• Scorers: Everaldo (11), Serna (8), Canobbio (7)

The fans hope to maintain the momentum to seal the continental spot.

Latest São Paulo results and challenges

São Paulo broke a streak of three games without a win by beating Juventude 2-1 away from home. The departure at Vila Belmiro came after shows at Morumbi, forcing a change of location. Crespo demands more offensive intensity, but injuries hinder creation.

The São Paulo team fluctuated in the return, with just 40% success in the last ten games. Vitória today could equal points with Flu and rekindle hopes in the G-8.

• Last five: São Paulo 2 x 1 Juventude; Botafogo 3 x 1 São Paulo; São Paulo 1 x 0 Internacional; Athletico-PR 2 x 1 São Paulo; São Paulo 3 x 1
• Away performance: Três defeats in the five recent trips
• Highlights: Tapia (6 goals), Rigoni (5 assists) as substitutes for Calleri

The Argentine’s absence forces creativity in the front sector.

Arbitration details and auxiliaries

Lucas Paulo Torezin, from Paraná, commands the match with experience in high-risk games. The referee records an average of 4.8 yellow cards per duel in this year’s Série A. VAR under Daniel Nobre Bins guarantees accurate review of controversial moves.

Assistants include Guilherme Dias Camilo, from Minas Gerais, and Andrey Luiz from Freitas, also from Paraná. Quarto referee is Denis from Silva Ribeiro Serafim, from Alagoas.

• Cards in season: Seis red distributed by Torezin
• VAR hits: 92% of decisions maintained in reviews
• History with teams: Três games refereed involving Fluminense, without serious controversies

The screening aims for fluidity in the classic.

Weather conditions at Maracanã

Rio of Janeiro features partly cloudy skies for game time. Temperatura is around 24°C at kickoff, with a light ocean breeze. Umidade at 78% favors a fast pace, without warnings of heavy rain.

Forecast indicates light drizzle after 10pm, but the lawn should remain in good condition. Torcedores should opt for light clothes, typical of Rio’s late spring.

Tickets and expected audience

Maracanã opens its doors two hours earlier, with capacity for 78 thousand spectators. Ingressos range from R$60 in the south half to R$200 in the east stand. Vendas online sold out premium sectors, with an expectation of 45 thousand paying.

Rio club promotes family packages to boost income. Segurança reinforced with detectors and fans organized in specific wings.

• Prices: Meia R$60, full R$120; cabins for R$500
• Accessibility: Setores adapted for PWD with 5% of places reserved
• Audience history: Média of 42 thousand in Flu games at Série A 2025

The show becomes viable with a full house.

Technicians and strategies in focus

Luis Zubeldía, a 43-year-old Argentine, took over Flu in March and transformed the campaign. The coach prioritizes possession of the ball and quick transitions, with a 58% success rate. Hernán Crespo, 50 years old, returns to his former club where he was Libertadores champion as an assistant in 2021.

Crespo bets on counterattacks, but absences force defensive adjustments. Ambos hanging technicians add tension to the edge of the field.

• Zubeldía: 22 wins in 38 games in the Flu
• Crespo: 15 wins in 30 matches in the current São Paulo
• Previous meeting: Crespo beat Zubeldía 2-0 in a pre-season friendly

Tactical intelligence defines the course of the duel.

Curiosities at the reunion of the tricolors

Hernán Crespo returns to Maracanã four years after the glory of Libertadores 2021. Thiago Silva could become the defender with the most games in Série A after the age of 40, equaling legends.

PH Ganso, former São Paulo, debuts against his former club for Laranjeiras. Rigoni and Everaldo switch sides after decisive passes against their rivals.

• Unusual fact: São Paulo last played Brasileirão at Vila Belmiro for shows at Morumbi
• Historic mark: Flu undefeated at home against SP for three editions
• Absent goalscorer: Calleri scored in eight of the last ten games before injury

These details enrich the narrative of the confrontation.