The 2001 season was São Paulo's 72nd season since club's existence. São Paulo won the Torneio Rio-São Paulo for the first time beating Botafogo in an aggregated score by 6-2 (4-1 Away; 2-1 Home). In Campeonato Paulista the club finished in 8th place. Tricolor reach the Quarter-finals at the Campeonato Brasileiro and Copa do Brasil losing to Atlético Paranaense in the league and to Grêmio at the cup. São Paulo was eliminated at the group stage in the Copa Mercosur and became a runners-up at the Copa dos Campeões after was defeated by Flamengo.