Santos begin selection puzzle for altitude test and Ecuador decider | OneFootball

Santos and head coach Cuca have begun a selection puzzle for the 2,600-metre altitude of Ambato and a Copa Sudamericana last-16 second leg against Macará on Thursday.

According to Globo.com, Santos won the first leg 2-1 at Vila Belmiro, so a draw would take them into the quarter-finals and secure 700,000 dollars, R$ 3.6 million, in prize money.

Despite the stakes, Cuca may rest players amid a congested schedule. The Brasileirão remains the priority and a Copa do Brasil quarter-final with rivals Palmeiras is approaching.

After Macará on Thursday, Santos host Mirassol on Sunday at Vila Belmiro, then play three clássicos, Palmeiras on 26 August and 2 September in the cup, and Corinthians on 30 at Neo Química Arena in the league.

The staff may use Thursday to hold back some players. Travel is demanding, a six-hour direct flight to Quito followed by almost three hours by coach to Ambato.

Neymar is a candidate to be rested. The number 10 played 90 minutes in two straight matches this week, Macará and Vasco, and should stay at CT Rei Pelé to prepare for Mirassol.

Gabriel Bontempo, absent on Sunday, could also skip the trip to be readied for the weekend.

Lucas Veríssimo is expected to return, in physical transition and with an eye on resuming ball work early in the week.

Cuca will wait for the squad’s return before naming the travelling party and has not ruled out keeping key names in Brazil. He said he must weigh what is worthwhile and, whatever the XI, the side would give everything to try to get through.

Source: Globo.com

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