Will Neymar face Flamengo? Santos plan striker's return and Coutinho debut | OneFootball

Coutinho is the most likely name to make his debut in the October 8 clash, while Neymar’s presence depends on a faster-than-expected recovery

Santos has mapped out a plan to have Neymar and Philippe Coutinho available against Flamengo. The match takes place on October 8 at Vila Belmiro, in the 29th round of the Brazilian Championship. However, the situations of the two players are quite different.

Coutinho is on track to make his debut in a Santos shirt precisely against the Rubro-Negro. Neymar, on the other hand, is still not guaranteed to feature. According to ESPN, only an optimistic scenario would put the No. 10 on the field against the Rio club.

According to the broadcaster, the forward is still undergoing treatment and has no confirmed return date. The internal estimate points to about one month of recovery. Even so, there is a more positive projection in which Neymar would soon begin physical transition work.

NEYMAR RECOVERING FROM RIGHT THIGH INJURY

Neymar was injured in the 0-0 draw with Palmeiras on September 2, in the quarterfinals of the Copa do Brasil. The result eliminated Santos, who had lost the first leg 3-0. Feeling pain, the star left the field at halftime.

Two days later, the club released the diagnosis. In an official statement, Santos reported a type 2B muscle injury in the rectus femoris of his right thigh. At the time, the medical department did not set a timetable for his return.

If the recovery really takes around a month, his return should come at the end of October. In that scenario, Santos could have the No. 10 available against Bahia on the 25th or against Palmeiras on the 28th. Both matches are also scheduled for Vila Belmiro.

COUTINHO EXPECTED TO DEBUT AGAINST FLAMENGO

For his part, Coutinho’s situation is further along. The midfielder has not played an official match since February 14, when he featured for Vasco against Volta Redonda in the Campeonato Carioca. Shortly afterward, the midfielder left the Rio club after terminating his contract.

Santos announced his signing on September 14, with a deal running through the end of 2026. Neymar was directly involved in the talks, which were initiated by NR Sports, the company that manages the No. 10’s career. Since then, Coutinho has been doing individual fitness work at CT Rei Pelé.

Soon, the midfielder is expected to begin training with the rest of the squad in order to be included in the matchday roster. According to ESPN, the medical department and coaching staff have already decided that the player will not face São Paulo on October 2. That makes the clash with Flamengo the most likely date for his debut.

DUO OUT OF THE MATCH AGAINST SÃO PAULO

Before hosting Flamengo, Santos faces São Paulo on October 2 at MorumBIS. The derby, previously postponed, is valid for the 21st round of the Brasileirão. In addition, the match will still take place during the FIFA international break.

Neymar has been completely ruled out of the San-São. Coutinho, meanwhile, would have had a better chance of playing in the derby. Even so, the coaching staff prefers to be cautious with a player who has been inactive for more than seven months.

Santos also will not have Gabriel Bontempo for that game. Carlo Ancelotti has called up the midfielder for Brazil’s friendlies against Australia and India. As a result, the youngster will be training with the national team during that period.

HOW FLAMENGO ARRIVES

Leaders of the Brasileirão, Flamengo will only return to the field after the FIFA international break. After visiting Santos, Leonardo Jardim’s team faces Fluminense on the 11th at the Maracanã. Then, the Rubro-Negro squad begins the Libertadores semifinal against Estudiantes (ARG), with the first leg on October 15.

In the first half of the season, Neymar did not face the Rubro-Negro. On that occasion, the No. 10 was serving a suspension for a third yellow card. Without him, Santos even took the lead at the Maracanã on April 5. After that, Flamengo came back to win 3-1, with goals from Pedro, Jorginho, and Lucas Paquetá.

AUTHOR’S OPINION

— In the few matches Neymar has played against Flamengo, he usually does well. If he remains out, I see that as good news for Rubro-Negro fans. As for Coutinho, if he plays, it won’t be bad for Flamengo. He lacks match sharpness. Even when he had match rhythm, he wasn’t doing well at Vasco da Gama —, opined Pedro Paulo Catonho, journalist for Coluna do Fla.

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