Coutinho trains with Santos squad for the first time | OneFootball

Philippe Coutinho trained with Santos for the first time on Monday as preparations began for their second Copa Sudamericana quarter-final against Atlético-MG. Diario Do Peixe reports that the session at CT Rei Pelé followed the weekend win over Cruzeiro.

Officially unveiled the same day, the number 11 joined full training with team-mates, starting his adaptation to Cuca's work and the squad routine.

He has not played a competitive match since 14 February, when he featured for Vasco against Volta Redonda in the Campeonato Carioca quarter-finals. Since then he has maintained individual training.

Despite working with the group, he will not face Atlético-MG because he was not registered by Santos for the Sudamericana quarter-finals. If the team reach the semi-finals, he could be added to the list.

Lucas Veríssimo was also on the pitch on Monday. The centre-back is recovering from a right ankle sprain sustained against Palmeiras in the Copa do Brasil at Vila Belmiro early this month.

He has missed Santos' last three matches, against Internacional, Atlético-MG and Cruzeiro. His involvement against Atlético-MG is not yet confirmed, the staff will monitor his progress in the coming sessions.

Gabigol returns from suspension and is again available to Cuca. He did not face Cruzeiro on Saturday and was also ineligible as he is on loan to Santos from the club from Minas Gerais. Escobar also returns after a ban.

Santos visit Atlético-MG on Wednesday 16 at 19:00 at Arena MRV. The Peixe won the first game 2-0 at Vila Belmiro and can lose by up to one goal and still reach the semi-finals.

Source: Diario Do Peixe

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”