After the 1-0 defeat to Vitória yesterday at the Maracanã, striker Diego Tardelli wants the team to bounce back against Portuguesa on Wednesday at the Canindé stadium.

"It's an important game for us to gain points. The cushion we had is dwindling, but the most important thing is that we've managed to stay at the top of the table. We're concerned about not having won the last two games. We'll fight to get a good result in São Paulo."

The striker, top scorer in the 2005 São Paulo State Championship, hopes to score his first goal in the Brazilian Championship on Wednesday.

"A striker lives for goals. This worries me, but I hope the drought ends soon in Wednesday's game. The goal will come eventually."