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**Inter Coach Machado Shakes Up Lineup, Prioritizes Copa do Brasil Clash with Fluminense**
Porto Alegre, Brazil – Internacional coach Roger Machado has made significant changes to the starting lineup for tonight’s Brasileirão match against São Paulo, signaling a clear prioritization of the upcoming Copa do Brasil Round of 16 tie against Fluminense. The match is scheduled to start at 8:30 PM local time.
Machado has opted for a new tactical approach, deploying a three-man defense consisting of Juninho, Clayton Sampaio, and Gabriel Mercado, who makes his first appearance of the year after recovering from a late-2024 injury. Alan Benítez and Bernabei will operate as wing-backs. Key players such as Victor Gabriel, Carbonero, and Thiago Maia will start on the bench.
New signing Alan Rodriguez will make his debut in midfield, partnering with Luis Otávio and Bruno Tabata. The attack will be led by the duo of Borré and Valencia.
Several key players are unavailable for Inter. Alan Patrick is sidelined with a virus, while Bruno Henrique is out due to a knock sustained in the previous match against Fluminense. Defender Vitão is serving a suspension imposed by the STJD, which will also keep him out of the match against Bragantino on the 9th.
The confirmed Inter starting XI is: Rochet; Juninho, Gabriel Mercado, Clayton Sampaio; Alan Benítez, Luis Otavio, Alan Rodriguez, Bruno Tabata, Bernabei; Borré and Valencia.
São Paulo, coached by Hernán Crespo, will field the following lineup: Rafael; Ferraresi, Arboleda e Sabino; Cédric, Bobadilla, Alisson, Marcos Antônio e Enzo Díaz; Luciano e André Silva.
This tactical shift suggests Machado is carefully managing his squad’s fitness and strategizing for a strong performance in the Copa do Brasil. It remains to be seen how this new formation will fare against São Paulo.
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