Cuca targets Brasileirão second-round crown as Santos draw level with Flamengo | OneFootball

Cuca has targeted the Brasileirão second-round title as Santos move level with Flamengo at the top of the returno. Flamengo and Palmeiras remain favourites for the overall crown.

According to Coluna Do Fla, the coach set his squad the goal before facing Botafogo, then, after a 2-1 win over São Paulo at Morumbi, he stressed they intend to finish strongly.

Both clubs have 20 points in the returno, with Flamengo ahead on goal difference, 11 to 6. Each side has six wins, two draws and one defeat. Cruzeiro are on 18, Athletico have 16, and Palmeiras sit eighth with 13.

Neymar remains sidelined but is in the final phase of recovery and could return on Thursday the eighth against Flamengo. Cuca said Neymar might already be fit, they will work across the coming days and there is a good chance he plays.

He added that Gabigol, withdrawn after scoring two in the clássico, is not a concern.

Santos have won five in a row and Flamengo are fighting to stay first in the Brasileirão. The leaders of the returno meet at Vila Belmiro from 19:30, Brasília time.

Source: Coluna Do Fla

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