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With the 2-1 victory over Defensa y Justicia, Santos closed the Libertadores group stage with an almost perfect campaign. Lucas Braga and Marcos Leonardo scored Peixe’s goals in Vila Belmiro, this Tuesday.
Undefeated, Santos won five and drew one of the six games played and fights for the general leadership of the continental competition. Peixe still has to encourage a setback by Palmeiras against Tigre this Wednesday.
Lucas Braga scored one of Santos’ goals against Defense and Justice – Photo: REUTERS / Amanda Perobelli
After living with the criticism from the fans, Lucas Braga gave the answer on the field. The forward changed the game and saved Santos from defeat at Vila Belmiro. He scored his first goal for the club, in addition to giving an assist and being Peixe’s main player in the return match against Defensa y Justicia.
The changes of coach Cuca and the power of reaction of Santos.
Quite lacking, again without Marinho and Lucas Veríssimo, Santos came out on the scoreboard, but managed to turn around thanks to the players who entered the second half: Lucas Braga, Wagner Leonardo and Marcos Leonardo.
Lucas Braga scored the goal that started Santos’ reaction, taking advantage of the assistance of Wagner Leonardo, and gave the pass to Marcos Leonardo to declare the victory of Santos.
The merit of Cuca is to be able to find cards up his sleeve within a lean squad, and with several casualties due to injuries, like Santos’s.
Best moments: Santos 2 x 1 Defense and Justice for Libertadores
In the first part, Defensa y Justicia gave Santos a lot of space, which he failed to take advantage of and wasted countless occasions, especially with Kaio Jorge. The center forward has lost at least three clear plays.
After an offensive start, Peixe “called” the rival and also gave up many spaces in defense. And he fell behind on the scoreboard after failing a defensive system. Pizzini had all the freedom in the world on the right (Luan Peres and Felipe Jonatan did not approach) and Luiz Felipe did not accompany Braian Romero, who only finished for the goal.
The set-up was also a problem: neither Jean Mota, in the first half, nor Lucas Lourenço, in the second, managed to start the plays with quality. In addition, Soteldo made a discreet exit after refusing to transfer to Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia.
Soteldo was the captain of Santos, but had a discreet performance – Photo: Reuters
Lucas Braga had an important participation in the two goals that Santos scored. In the first, he took advantage of the center of Pará and gave a good header. Wagner Leonardo took advantage of the goalkeeper’s rebound and crossed in the measure for the attacker to push the nets.
In the second, Lucas Braga advanced freely on the right and found Marcos Leonardo in a good position to also finish only through the open goal.
Lucas Braga is elected the best on the pitch by Libertadores – Photo: Ivan Storti / Santos FC
Now, Santos is refocusing on the Brazilian Championship and wins a longer rest period than usual. The next game is only on Sunday, at 4 pm (Brasilia time), against Fluminense, in Maracanã.
Coach Cuca hopes to see the return of Marinho, Lucas Veríssimo and Alison, who lost their last games due to injuries.
In the Brasileirão, Santos is in fifth place, with 27 points.
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