Even dull, the positive result takes the Santos to the 14 points, still close to the fall zone
He returned to the field in an official match after more than a month – did not hold the classic with the weekend, postponed after the rival’s participation in the Club World Cup – with a big party in Vila Belmiro. With a decisive goal of Neymar at the end, a giant 1-0 win that gives a breath in the fight against relegation. Even dull, the positive result takes the Santos to the 14 points, still close to the fall zone. But seeing Neymar on the field the 90 minutes, renews the hope of the fans for packing in Brasileirão and fights for bigger things. The club plans to have him full time again against Mirassol, away from home, on Saturday (19). To the cariocas, who saw the defense was leaked after five unharmed games and only added the second defeat in the competition, the stumble can mean the loss of leadership. Just the cruise add a point against Fluminense this Thursday, in Maracanã.
Santos stepped on the lawn of Vila Belmiro with three strikers, but betting everything on his shirt 10, Captain Neymar. The star, free from injuries and in the frames of the plays, had the mission to make the team distance themselves from the relegation zone and at the same time improve their performance against the Rio team. There were six neymar clashes against Flamengo in history, among them the unforgettable clash of 2011, won by the cariocas with three goals from Ronaldinho Gaúcho, but in which the star made two, one of them that earned him the Puskas Award. Shirt 10 scored four goals against the red-black rival, but won only once, bitter two losses and three draws.
Under the huge confidence of the Santos, the principals wanted to explore the moment of carioca crisis starring the removal of center forward Pedro, in friction with coach Filipe Luís after lack of commitment to training, and also by the embezzlement on the left side-Varella played makeshift with the injuries of Alex Sandro and Ayrton Lucas. Coming from a giant triumph in the house of Fortaleza before the World Cup (he did 3-2), Santos knew that his homemade task was complicated against the leader of the Brasileirão. Faced with a starry rival, he still needed to overthrow the best defense (four goals conceded) and the most devastating attack (26 scored).
Neymar started the match showing the will and skill. Santos’ offensive plays always passed by his feet. The star gave passes in the empty space that inflamed the crowd, but ended without completion. Marked closely, shirt 10 still suffered from the faults. On the flamenco side, with similar scheme and tactics, was another 10, Arrascaeta, the conductor and who dictated the rhythm of the leader. Likewise, the submissions in the goal of Gabriel Brazão were missing. The santista goalkeeper worked well as she spread the first danger bid in the balanced game.
A slight growth of Flamengo made Cleber Xavier choose to advance Neymar as a reference man. He put his ends to score and released the star to be closer to the goal. In beautiful bid, he went through two markers, but the defense cut the cross. Soon after, the shirt 10 served Deivid Washington, which stopped at the tips of Rossi’s fingers. Brazão prevented Santos from being at a disadvantage to rest with a new Salvador flight. Danilo’s header had fate. Even with bold, Santos and flamenco schemes, they were aware of the changing rooms who owed a better offensive production.
As he has become routine in Santos games, Brazão continued to stand out by saving the team in the first move from the final stage. Gonçalo appeared free after the heel of Arrascaeta. The break was beneficial to the leader, who returned with the ball and in the offensive field. With Santos cornered, noise of disapproval began to emerge in Vila Belmiro. The Santos failed some pieces, including Guilherme, and also asked for the entry of Robinho Júnior. The official debut in shirt 7, the same as his famous father, occurred on 20 minutes, when Cleber Xavier answered the clamor of the stands.
The crowd then decided to release the support cry. And finally, the first opportunity came. Neymar received free and played for Deivid Washington once again fails. Shirt 10 got angry, charging the pass back. After so much unsuccessful companions, the striker chose to risk and stopped on Rossi. Already in the final stretch, received inside the area, got rid of the marker and made the stands ‘explode’. Neymar’s beautiful goal, who chose to stay at the club to rid him of relegation and begins to fulfill his promise.
*With information from Estadão Content
