Neymar nears 10th outing as Santos end home run amid goals and flashpoints | OneFootball

Santos host Coritiba at Vila Belmiro on Wednesday, the Copa do Brasil fifth-round first leg. It ends a four-game home run, with Neymar set to start again for his 10th appearance of the season.

As reported by Globo.com, performances have improved, yet results have not, fuelling frustration in the stands.

The run brought a Brasileirão win over Atlético-MG, considered the team’s best display, then a Sudamericana draw with Recoleta and a loss to Fluminense after leading twice.

Rested against Flamengo and Deportivo Cuenca, Neymar then started each home game and completed 90 minutes.

He looked sharp but inconsistent, slipping a pass to Escobar before Gabriel Bontempo missed against Atlético-MG. He then scored early from a Gabigol cross against Recoleta, but later chipped wide over goalkeeper Toledo.

After that draw he clashed with fans, later apologising and vowing to focus on football.

At 2-2 he intercepted and drove to the edge but chose Rollheiser instead of shooting, and four minutes later Fluminense led. After the game he scratched both ears, which some misread, prompting social media replies and a complaint that criticism had gone too far.

Against Coritiba he would reach 10 outings after missing the start due to left-knee arthroscopy in late December. He has four goals and three assists in nine games, and is in Santos’ all-time top 10 scorers.

After this run he could be rested by Cuca and may not travel to face Bahia on Saturday. He could also miss the Sudamericana meeting with San Lorenzo.

Source: Globo.com