The result was not good for either side, with the specter of relegation lurking.
In a decisive game for both teams, and drew 1-1 this Saturday (1st), in a match valid for the 31st round of the Brazilian Championship. The draw was not good for either side, as the specter of relegation still lurks. Fortaleza took the lead in the first half, with Bareiro scoring after an excellent cross from Breno Lopes. In the second stage, Santos reacted and tied with an own goal from Bruno Pacheco, after a cross from Adônis Frías, after a pass from Neymar.
The big highlight of the game was the return of Neymar, who after almost 50 days away from the field, returned to wearing the Santos shirt. However, the star was unable to avoid the irregular performance of his team, which had serious defensive difficulties, especially in the first half, when Fortaleza dominated offensive actions.
Even playing away from home, Fortaleza had the best opportunities at the beginning of the match, with Breno Lopes creating constant problems for the Santos defense. The team from Ceará had at least two good chances before opening the scoring. In the first of them, Zé Rafael tried to create chances for Santos, but the defense of Bruno Pacheco and company was unable to hold back the opposing team’s advances.
In the 34th minute, Fortaleza was rewarded with Bareiro’s goal. After a precise charge from Breno Lopes, the attacker was free to hit the corner and score. However, right after the goal, Santos had a great dose of luck: in the 39th minute, Bareiro scored again, but the goal was correctly disallowed by the VAR, who found an offside at the beginning of the play. Fortaleza’s coach, Juan Pablo Vojvoda, made three changes at the beginning of the second half, seeking to further expose the Santos defense. Santos, in turn, seemed uninspired, until Neymar’s entry in the 21st minute breathed new life into the team.
In the 28th minute, in a move that originated from a pass from Neymar on the right, Adônis Frías crossed into the area, and the ball deflected off Bruno Pacheco, deceiving goalkeeper Brenno and tying the game. The Santos fans went crazy with the goal, which gave new energy to the home team. However, Fortaleza did not give up and continued to press. Moisés had a chance to score, but he abused his dribbles and Brazão, Santos’ goalkeeper, made a great save. The game became a real attack against defense, with Santos trying to organize itself and Fortaleza looking for the second goal at all costs.
In stoppage time, Neymar almost became a hero. In a dangerous foul near the area, the star placed the ball over the wall and demanded a good save from Brenno. However, the score of 1-1 was maintained until the final whistle. The result leaves Santos and Fortaleza in a delicate situation in the table. The home team, with 33 points, remains just one step above the relegation zone, while Fortaleza, with 28 points, occupies 18th place, an even more critical situation.
Both teams have nightmares about relegation to Series B and knew the importance of the game for their aspirations in the tournament. Santos, who could have made a big leap in the table with the victory, saw their defense fail again and were left with a draw. In the next round, Santos will visit Palmeiras, at Allianz Parque, on Thursday (6), in a complicated match against the current Brazilian champion. Fortaleza will face Ceará in the northeast classic, also on Thursday (6), in a game played at Castelão.
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
