Luciano Rants After São Paulo's Loss: “It Was Total Lack of Focus”

São Paulo’s 2-1 defeat to Bahia on Saturday left more than just a dent in the standings—it also brought frustration to the surface. Striker Luciano, who scored the team’s only goal, didn’t hold back in his post-match interview with Premiere, criticizing his team’s mental lapses.

“To be clear: total lack of focus! We went into halftime tied, talked a lot in the locker room, but it was a lack of attention on our part. A defeat like this just can’t happen,” said the number 10, visibly upset after the final whistle.

The loss marked São Paulo’s second consecutive defeat in the Brasileirão and came at the hands of a familiar face—former striker Willian José netted both goals for Bahia, invoking the dreaded “ex-player curse.” With just 12 points, the team is now at risk of slipping closer to the relegation zone, depending on how the rest of the round plays out.

After a grueling run of matches, the upcoming FIFA break offers São Paulo a much-needed pause to regroup and recover physically. Their next fixture is scheduled for June 12 at Morumbi, where they will host Vasco in what’s shaping up to be a high-stakes clash.

Manager Luis Zubeldía will need to recalibrate a squad that has impressed internationally but is faltering at home.