Diógenes handed rare start as Santos host Coritiba in Copa do Brasil | OneFootball

Diógenes will start for Santos against Coritiba on Wednesday, his first outing as a starter against a Série A side, with the Copa do Brasil fifth-phase opener at 19:30 in Vila Belmiro. He steps in for Gabriel Brazão.

According to Globo.com, Brazão had played every Santos match this season but was granted leave after the death of his father, José Roberto, 63, who had been receiving cancer treatment.

An academy graduate, Diógenes has been in the first-team squad since 2021 yet has made only four appearances, including two friendlies and just one start, and he has not conceded for Santos.

His senior Brasileirão outing came last year against Atlético-MG, when he replaced Brazão on 23 minutes of the second half after the starter suffered forehead swelling in a collision with Igor Gomes. Diógenes played roughly 37 minutes, helping secure a draw with at least two fine saves from efforts by Guilherme Arana.

His only competitive start followed in 2024 in Série B, a 2-0 win over Ituano.

Both friendly appearances were as a substitute, most recently against RB Leipzig in Bragança Paulista last year, entering on 35 minutes of the second half with Santos trailing 3-1 and conceding no further goals.

Recently, Santos extended his contract to the end of 2028, including a release clause of 70 million euros, about R$ 409 million.

Source: Globo.com