Gabigol impresses on Santos return, but faces fresh competition up front | OneFootball

Back at Santos in this year of 2026, Gabigol returns to the club where he was discovered as the team's hope for goals, to strengthen a position that was lacking and was a problem for Vojvoda last season. With four goals and two assists in nine matches, the forward is delivering in numbers, but despite his goal-scoring and successful career, his spot in the starting lineup is not guaranteed.

In recent games, the striker faced competition from Thaciano in the Peixe's attack. Gabigol started in two of the team's last four games, while Thaciano started three, in two of them playing in the role of the former Cruzeiro striker, while in the other, against Velo Clube, they played together in the team's offensive sector.

Although he doesn't have the same presence in the area and goal-scoring instinct as the number 9, Thaciano brings intensity and more speed to Santos' attack, something valued by coach Vojvoda. The athlete's lineup is also an alternative to compensate for Neymar's presence on the field, who generally has fewer tactical roles in matches.

In nine games for Santos in 2026, Thaciano started in six and has scored three goals and one assist so far.

Besides him, Rony, who was signed just over a month ago, is also an option in Peixe's attack and, if he manages to perform well, he could also become a competitor for Gabigol.

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