The 2012 season was São Paulo's 83rd year since the club's existence. After finishing the national league in sixth position in previous season, the team was not able to take part on Copa Libertadores for the second year consecutive thus participating in national cup, Copa do Brasil. In Campeonato Paulista, the team reached semifinals for a straight third year losing to Santos in their own field, the rival was consecrated champion in all these years. In the Copa do Brasil, Tricolor was also defeated in the same stage, this time for Cortiba, after lose the second match by 2–0, remaining an aggregate score of 2–1 to opponent. However the second half of season bring great results for The Dearest, finishing 4th position in league and an international title of Copa Sudamericana in the end of yea