Tiquinho picks up knee niggle, a doubt for Santos clash | OneFootball

Striker Tiquinho Soares has become a doubt for the final rounds of the Brazilian Championship. The number 9 felt discomfort in his left knee during Santos' victory over Sport this Friday at Vila Belmiro.

The player complained of pain in the area in the final minutes of the first half. He remained on the field until the end of the first half and was replaced by Lautaro Díaz at halftime.

“Tiquinho left with some discomfort, we need to evaluate,” said coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda in the press conference.

Tiquinho will be evaluated by Santos' medical department in the coming days. If an injury is confirmed, it is possible that the center forward will not play again this season.

From sidelined to starter

The striker went from sidelined to starter in charge of Peixe’s attack. He hadn’t even been used by Vojvoda in the team’s last five matches, but the coach believed that the Alvinegro Praiano needed a reference point in the box to face the bottom team.

“We considered that this was a match to play with a reference number 9. Tiquinho offered that option. We analyzed him in recent days and saw a player who was ready to start the game. We wanted to have two defensive midfielders behind, with Schmidt and Arão, and Barreal and Guilherme on the flanks. To find that balance, we decided on this lineup,” he explained.

Tiquinho Soares’ numbers for Santos so far are disappointing. The player has seven goals and four assists in 39 matches for the team this season.

Besides him, Peixe still has Lautaro Díaz and Thaciano for the position in their squad.

Situation in the standings

With the win over Sport, Santos surpassed Vitória and Internacional, leaving the relegation zone and moving up to 15th place in the standings, with 41 points. Peixe’s lead over Leão da Barra, who are first in the relegation zone, is two points.

Next Santos match

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