Lucas Veríssimo calls for shame after Santos 3-2 defeat at Grêmio | OneFootball

Lucas Veríssimo demanded accountability after Santos squandered another lead in a 3-2 defeat at Grêmio on Saturday in the Campeonato Brasileiro.

According to Diario Do Peixe, the centre-back vented post-match, urging the squad to face up to recurring shortcomings under Cuca.

Santos twice went in front through two from Gabriel Barbosa, but Grêmio levelled and then completed the turnaround after the interval.

Veríssimo said the team had done the hard part by going ahead, admitted it was difficult to find the words, and noted there are six points still to play for, three in the Brasileiro and three in the Copa Sudamericana, which they will target.

He added that they knew it was a six-point clash, felt the display was not poor, but stressed details must be fixed after conceding soft goals from individual mistakes, promising to demand more and work to improve.

The numbers back up the concern. In 17 matches under Cuca, Santos opened the scoring in 14, yet failed to protect the advantage in 10.

Defeat in Porto Alegre dropped Santos into the relegation zone. They ended Saturday inside the bottom four and now rely on Corinthians dropping points to avoid finishing the round there.

Next up is a decisive Copa Sudamericana tie against Deportivo Cuenca on Tuesday at Vila Belmiro, where a win is required to keep play-off hopes alive.

Source: Diario Do Peixe