Santos wrap up preparations to face Vitória, check out the likely line-up | OneFootball

Santos wrapped up preparations on Sunday afternoon at the Rei Pelé Training Center for the clash against Vitória, valid for the 29th round of the Brazilian Championship. The match will be played this Monday at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time) at Vila Belmiro.

For the match, coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda may field the Peixe without a defensive midfielder. João Schmidt, the starter in that role under the Argentine coach, is out. The midfielder is suspended due to yellow card accumulation. His immediate backup, Tomás Rincón, is still in transition after suffering a muscle edema in his left calf and should therefore be out.

The third option would be Willian Arão. The midfielder, however, still has few minutes on the field for the Alvinegro Praiano. He dealt with a calf injury and went almost three months without playing. The former Flamengo player returned in the 3–1 win over Corinthians, coming on near the end.

Amid this scenario, there’s a strong possibility that Santos will line up without a true defensive midfielder against Vitória. Gabriel Bontempo and Victor Hugo also emerge as alternatives.

Returns

Thaciano, meanwhile, is back. The midfielder is training normally after recovering from ankle discomfort. Alexis Duarte is also a new addition. The center-back reported back last Thursday after serving the Paraguayan national team during the FIFA break. In attack, Tiquinho Soares returns after serving a suspension in the 3–1 win over Corinthians.

And Neymar?

Neymar continues to recover from a strain in the rectus femoris muscle of his right thigh. The club has not set a timeline for the No. 10’s return. The expectation is that he will be available again at the beginning of November.

Probable Santos lineup

Thus, a probable Santos lineup is: Gabriel Brazão; Mayke, Adonis Frías, Luan Peres and Escobar; Zé Rafael, Victor Hugo (Bontempo), Barreal and Rollheiser; Guilherme and Lautaro Díaz.

Santos’ position in the table

Santos are in 16th place with 31 points, three more than Vitória, who sit just inside the relegation zone.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.