Cuca aims to end Santos’ Morumbis drought against São Paulo | OneFootball

Cuca has made a habit of snapping Santos droughts in this Brasileirão, and now turns to São Paulo at Morumbis on Friday at 20h, Brasília time, in a rescheduled 21st-round derby.

According to Globo.com, the coach is targeting another unwanted run. Santos have not beaten São Paulo at Morumbis in the league since 2020, with four meetings since then bringing three defeats and one draw.

That last league win at the venue also came under Cuca. Although part of the 2020 season, it was played in January 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with Santos fielding a reserve side as the focus lay on the Conmebol Libertadores semi-final against Boca Juniors. Santos still won 1-0 through midfielder Jobson, their first derby success in more than a year after beating Palmeiras in October 2019.

This season Cuca has already ended three away droughts. First came Corinthians, ending a 15-year wait with a 1-0 win at the Neo Química Arena, sealed by midfielder Christian Oliva.

Next was Internacional at the Beira-Rio, where Santos had not won since 2008. Coincidentally, Cuca was in charge then too, a scenario now repeating against São Paulo. The game ended 3-2, with two from Gabigol and another from Christian Oliva, while Aguirre and Bruno Henrique scored for the hosts.

The most recent drought to fall came away to Remo on the 19th at the Mangueirão in Belém. Santos won 2-1, with goals from Rony and Gabigol, and Marllon replying for the home side.

That result was Santos’ fourth straight away win in this year’s league, a sequence they had not managed since the 1984 championship.

Source: Globo.com

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