Santos could use back three against Atlético-MG as Veríssimo returns | OneFootball

According to Globo.com, Santos could line up with three centre-backs against Atlético-MG on Wednesday at 19:00 Brasília time in Belo Horizonte, with coach Cuca weighing the switch after Lucas Veríssimo’s return from a right ankle issue.

The match is the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana quarter-finals. Santos won the first leg 2-0 at home.

The idea is for Veríssimo to play alongside Willian Arão and Luan Peres, mirroring the approach used in Saturday’s win over Cruzeiro in the Campeonato Brasileiro. In defence, Rodinei and Escobar would drop to form a line of five.

A likely Santos XI is Gabriel Brazão, Lucas Veríssimo, Willian Arão, Luan Peres, Rodinei, Gustavo Henrique, Christian Oliva, Gabriel Bontempo, Rollheiser (Rony or Caballero), Escobar and Gabigol.

The setup also allows a shift to a back four, with Arão stepping into midfield to create a trio with Gustavo Henrique and Christian Oliva.

Neymar and Barreal remain out injured for this fixture. Recent arrivals Philippe Coutinho and Everton Cebolinha have not been registered for the Copa Sudamericana.

Source: Globo.com

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