Lira suffers knee sprain, Bontempo has back spasm as Santos plan Monday checks | OneFootball

Santos ended Sunday’s derby against Corinthians with fresh worries after Vinícius Lira suffered a knee problem and Gabriel Bontempo went off with back pain. According to Diario Do Peixe, the match also brought a red card for Luan Peres and rising pressure on head coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda.

The left-back sustained a sprain to his left knee, while the attacking midfielder departed with a lumbar spasm. Lira was taken off on a stretcher at 48 minutes of the second half, leaving Santos with two players fewer after Luan Peres had already been dismissed.

Lira had only come on at 27 minutes, replacing Barreal. Bontempo started but asked to be withdrawn and left at 21 minutes of the second half. Both players will be re-evaluated by the medical staff on Monday 16 March.

The squad will regroup on Monday and begin preparations to face Internacional on Wednesday 18 March at 21.30 at Vila Belmiro, in the next Série A round.

Vinícius Lira was called up by Brazil Under-20s on Friday 13, alongside two other Santos players, for two friendlies against Paraguay, with camp scheduled from 23 to 31. However, he left the pitch in tears and there is concern his injury could be more serious, potentially sidelining him for club and country.

This season Vinícius Lira has been permanently promoted to the first team and had been starting, making 11 appearances. Bontempo missed the start of the year after a septoplasty then a muscle oedema, but since returning has held a starting spot, with one goal and one assist in nine matches.

Source: Diario Do Peixe