Em 1994, o São Paulo de Telê Santana foi vice-campeão da Libertadores, ao perder para o Vélez Sarsfield nos pênaltis. No mesmo ano, conquistou a Copa Conmebol com o Expressinho e a Recopa Sul-Americana.
São Paulo 1994
In 1994, Telê Santana's São Paulo reached the third consecutive final of the Copa Libertadores and also won the Copa Conmebol with an alternative squad known as Expressinho. In the same year, it also lifted the South American Recopa.
History
Two-time Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup champion in 1992 and 1993, São Paulo began 1994 as one of the strongest teams on the continent. Commanded by Telê Santana, the club reached the Copa Libertadores final once again and came close to an unprecedented three consecutive championships. In the final against Vélez Sarsfield, each team won 1-0 at their home stadium. The title was decided on penalties at the Morumbi, and the Argentine team won. As a result, São Paulo finished as South American runner-up. While the main team competed in the Copa Libertadores, the club fielded a squad in the Copa Conmebol made up mainly of young players and reserves. This group became known as Expressinho and was managed by Muricy Ramalho, then Telê's assistant coach. In the final against Peñarol, Expressinho thrashed the opponent 6-1 at the Morumbi and secured the title despite a 3-0 loss in Montevideo. Also in 1994, São Paulo defeated Botafogo 3-1 in Kobe, Japan, in the South American Recopa. The season showcased the strength of São Paulo's squad: the club competed in several continental competitions simultaneously and went far in all of them.