Santos face defensive doubts before clash with top league attack | OneFootball

Santos is facing uncertainty in the defensive sector before facing Flamengo, the team with the best attack in the Brazilian Championship. The Peixe will have all defenders available, but two questions remain: which system will be used and who will play?

The Alvinegro Praiano, fighting against relegation, will face Flamengo, which holds the best attack in the national competition. The Carioca Rubro-Negro scored 61 goals in 31 games, with 120 goals throughout the season. Therefore, coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda will need to find alternatives to keep a clean sheet.

For the match, the coach will have an important reinforcement in defense. Santos' defensive pillar this season, defender Luan Peres returns after serving a suspension against Palmeiras. He is then an option for the Argentine coach.

Zé Ivaldo also re-entered Vojvoda's radar. The defender, sidelined after being sent off against Atlético-MG on September 14, returned to the starting lineup in the classic against Palmeiras. Despite the setback, the defender was one of Peixe's highlights and even cleared a potential goal from Flaco López off the line.

Therefore, Luan Peres is expected to return to the starting lineup, while Zé Ivaldo has intensified the competition for a spot in the starting eleven. Adonis Frías and Alexis Duarte are also options that have been given opportunities. The Argentine, in fact, has established himself as a partner alongside the number 14.

Meanwhile, Luisão and João Basso were not even listed against Flamengo. The former has not been listed since August this year, while the latter, Basso, has not played for three months.

Pair or trio of defenders?

The tactical scheme of Santos' defense against Flamengo is also a mystery. There is doubt whether Vojvoda will continue betting on the system with three defenders and wing-backs, or if he will revert to a more conservative line of four, with two full-backs and only two central defenders.

Vojvoda used the system with three defenders for the first time in the 2-2 draw against Botafogo, but in the following game against Fortaleza, at Vila Belmiro, he returned to the line of four. In the classic against Palmeiras, he again opted for the line of three.

Against Palmeiras, even Willian Arão played as a third defender alongside Alexis Duarte and Zé Ivaldo. Already accustomed to being improvised in the position, the midfielder performed well and established himself as an option for the defensive system, should Vojvoda deem it necessary.

It remains to be seen what the Argentine coach's alternative will be to try to stop the best attack in the Brazilian Championship. It is worth noting that Flamengo will not have forwards Plata, suspended, and Pedro, who is recovering from a forearm fracture.

Options for the full-back position

Another open spot in Santos' starting lineup against Flamengo is the right-back position. Starter against Palmeiras on Thursday, Mayke received the third yellow card and will have to serve a suspension.

The position, however, faces a more certain scenario. Igor Vinícius, who had been having a run in the starting eleven, is expected to take the spot. Another alternative is JP Chermont, but the youngster has not yet played under Vojvoda and is an outsider.

Standings situation

With the defeat to Palmeiras, Santos remained in the relegation zone of the Brasileirão. Peixe is in 17th place on the table, with 33 points, one less than Vitória, the first team outside the Z4. Additionally, the Alvinegro Praiano has completed four matches without a win in the tournament.

Upcoming Santos matches

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.