Cuca explains Neymar absence for Palmeiras tie and admits he is a big miss | OneFootball

Santos lost 3-0 to Palmeiras at Nubank Parque in Wednesday’s Copa do Brasil quarter-final first leg, then Cuca explained Neymar’s absence. He stressed the call was a technical decision taken before kick-off.

According to Diario Do Peixe, the coach cited workload management, the lack of a safe run of consecutive games, the synthetic surface, the risk of physical wear and the forward’s bookings. Neymar did not initially travel but was later named in the matchday squad as discussions continued until shortly before the start.

Cuca avoided labelling the move a regret, yet accepted how much Neymar is missed and how strongly he lifts the team when on the pitch. He added the player would have played if it had been solely his choice.

Since returning to Santos in January 2025, Neymar has still not appeared on the synthetic pitch at the Palmeiras stadium. Over that period he has played only one away clássico, against Corinthians in the 2025 Campeonato Paulista.

The number 10 could feature away from Vila Belmiro on Sunday 30 at 16:00 Brasília time, at Neo Química Arena, in the 25th round of the Campeonato Brasileiro. Santos have 26 points, sit 14th, two points above the relegation zone.

The return leg is on Wednesday 2 at 21:30 at Vila Belmiro. Santos must win by four to reach the semi-finals in normal time, while a three-goal victory would take it to penalties.

Source: Diario Do Peixe

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