Why Billal Brahimi was left out by Santos for the derby, find out here | OneFootball

Reinforcement for Santos this season, the Algerian forward Billal Brahimi was not even included in the squad for the derby against Palmeiras this Thursday at Allianz Parque, for the 32nd round of the Brazilian Championship. In a press conference after the match, coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda explained the player’s absence.

Vojvoda chose to take other forwards to the bench, such as Guilherme, Caballero, Tiquinho, and Thaciano. Lautaro Díaz and Robinho Jr. started as the main strikers. Additionally, the coach explained that Brahimi still needs to adapt to Brazilian football.

“Brahimi was discussed, they asked if I knew the player. I analyzed and asked for information, because I didn’t know him. The transfer window was closing. He needs to adapt, he wasn’t included because we had other options. I preferred to start with Robinho, then I substituted him for Caballero. We also had Guilherme, Thaciano, and Tiquinho,” said Vojvoda.

“Someone has to be left out and it was Brahimi. That doesn’t mean I don’t consider the player. I didn’t know him, but I analyzed and gave the go-ahead for the signing,” he added.

Contradicting the president’s version

Vojvoda’s statement contradicts the version given by the president of Santos, Marcelo Teixeira. In a recent interview, the president said that the signing of Billal Brahimi was a “persistent request” from the Argentine’s coaching staff.

“It came from the scouts, it was a recommendation from Vojvoda. He insisted that Santos sign him. The scouts make these presentations to the football department. It doesn’t even reach us until everyone has analyzed it, then it goes to the management committee. He came at no cost. It’s the coaching staff’s responsibility to decide whether he plays in this or that match, we don’t train or decide. He was persistently requested by the coaching staff,” he stated.

Quiet spell

Billal Brahimi’s spell at Santos, so far, has been quiet. The Algerian player, who was a free agent, was signed in September and since then has played only one match for Peixe. He was on the field for 20 minutes in the 2-2 draw with Red Bull Bragantino.

(Photo: Raul Baretta/Santos FC)

Next Santos match

Current standings

With the defeat to Palmeiras, Santos remains 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 bottom four. Additionally, Alvinegro Praiano has now gone four matches without a win in the tournament.

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