Zé Elias warns of Macará and says Santos must play their best game this year | OneFootball

According to Diario Do Peixe, ex-Santos midfielder and ESPN pundit Zé Elias believes Santos face a stern test against Macará in the Sudamericana round of 16 first leg at Vila Belmiro on Thursday 13 at 19:00. He says the hosts need to make home advantage count.

He points to Macará sitting second in Ecuador and having beaten Barcelona de Guayaquil and LDU, arriving with notable physical power and confidence.

He adds that the Ecuadorians can switch shape during games, alternating between 4-3-3, 4-1-4-1 and 4-4-2 to suit the opponent, marrying intensity with tactical variety.

By contrast, he sees Santos as a side under pressure and short on belief. He feels they will have to produce their best display of the year, with Cuca still searching for a settled team.

Neymar is viewed as central to their hopes, though the expected tempo means a collective performance is required. He suggests Santos’ limitations could again lead them to rely heavily on Neymar to decide key moments.

Source: Diario Do Peixe

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