Cuca defends João Schmidt selection and explains Christian Oliva benching after Atlético-MG shootout exit | OneFootball

Cuca defended his decision to start João Schmidt and leave Christian Oliva on the bench as Santos exited the Copa Sudamericana. They lost 4-2 to Atlético-MG in Belo Horizonte in the quarter-final second leg, then fell on penalties.

According to Diario Do Peixe, Cuca pointed out that the fourth goal was conceded with Oliva already on the pitch and rejected blaming any individual or the tactical switch to a third centre-back. He said the game had been under control late on and described the scenario as different to the first leg.

Santos had won the first meeting 2-0 at Vila Belmiro. The 4-2 reverse at Arena MRV levelled the tie at 4-4 and forced a shootout. Atlético-MG prevailed 3-1, with Arthur and Gabriel Barbosa missing for Santos.

Oliva had been on an upward curve, scoring against Corinthians and Internacional in the league and in the first leg against Atlético-MG. Even so, he was a substitute in the past two fixtures and only came on late on Wednesday as Santos tried to avoid elimination.

The exit leaves Santos out of all cups, focus now turns to the Campeonato Brasileiro. They face Remo on Saturday 19 at 18:30 in Belém in the 28th round. The squad will head straight from Belo Horizonte to the North of the country.

Source: Diario Do Peixe

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