Neymar named by Santos but does not travel and could miss Palmeiras derby | OneFootball

According to Globo.com, Neymar was named in a 25-man squad for Wednesday's meeting at Palmeiras but did not travel with the group, and he is unlikely to be available to Cuca, with a late cut likely.

Santos are keeping his status under wraps until close to kick-off. He is expected to join the delegation at the team hotel in São Paulo on Wednesday, with the match set for 21:30 Brasília time.

The No 10 trained with the squad on Tuesday at CT Rei Pelé, yet he did not board for the capital. He previously turned up only on matchday for the Remo game in Belém, and the club aim to repeat the mystery.

Wednesday's match is on the synthetic surface at Nubank Parque. Neymar is reluctant to play on synthetic surfaces, believing the ball tempo and game dynamics change and that such pitches increase the load on his knee and joints.

A probable Santos XI for the first leg features Gabriel Brazão, Igor Vinicius, Willian Arão or Lucas Veríssimo, Luan Peres and Escobar, João Schmidt, Oliva, Bontempo and Barreal, Rollheiser and Gabigol.

The squad will stay in São Paulo until the game, then return for three days of recovery and tactical work before the weekend derby at Corinthians' Neo Química Arena, where Neymar is expected to feature. They are due to depart on Saturday after lunch.

The return leg against Palmeiras, which will decide the semi-finalist, is next Wednesday, 2 September, at Vila Belmiro at 21:30 Brasília time.

Source: Globo.com

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