With just one point behind Vitória, Vojvoda’s team saw the draw in the South as a result that, despite the initial struggle, has strategic value
The team left Beira-Rio with much more than a point. In the 1-1 draw with , in a match that ended the 35th round of the Brasileirão, the São Paulo team showed the ability to react without , escaping a disastrous first half and leaving with the feeling that permanence is possible. Still within the relegation zone, with 38 points, the performance in the complementary stage raises hope in a final stretch that favors Santos more than its direct opponents.
The optimistic projection goes through the calendar. Santos faces bottom team Sport in Vila Belmiro, then visits Juventude — who could be mathematically relegated to the penultimate round — and ends against Cruzeiro, who must play with a divided focus because of the semi-final of the Copa do Brasil. With just one point behind Vitória, first outside the relegation zone, Vojvoda’s team saw the draw in the South as a result that, despite the initial struggle, has strategic value.
Internacional, on the other hand, wasted a clear opportunity to move away from the fight. With 41 points, they parked in 15th and face a more hostile end to the championship: Vasco at São Januário, São Paulo at MorumBis and Red Bull Bragantino, on the rise, in the last round. The irregular performance, especially after the break, raised a warning signal for a team that is unable to maintain a good run in the competition and was booed after the final whistle.
Without Neymar, spared due to knee pain, Vojvoda opted for Robinho Jr. alongside Rollheiser and Thaciano, but the offensive structure didn’t work. Santos struggled to breathe in the initial stage and didn’t even finish on goal.
Internacional piled up chances, found spaces easily and could have resolved the game before the break. Alan Patrick’s goal, in the 19th minute — in a beautiful play that had Borré as the pivot and Alan Rodriguez as the articulator — only confirmed Colorado’s superiority.
The pressure remained firm. Vitinho hit the post, Alan Patrick forced Brazão into an unlikely save and Santos, stunned, seemed to survive more by luck than by organization. Inter paid dearly for not expanding. The minimal advantage, despite the volume, kept the opponent alive and offered Vojvoda the chance to rebuild Santos at half-time.
The answer came with changes and a new stance. Barreal and Guilherme transformed the rhythm of the attack, and the equalizer came 16 minutes into the second half: Guilherme crossed with precision, Barreal dominated the chest and finished with a left-footed shot, scoring a great goal that completely redesigned the atmosphere of the game. Santos started to control the ball, pushed Inter back and silenced part of Beira-Rio, who showed growing irritation.
Ramon Díaz tried to adjust the Colorado team with changes, but Inter’s consistency disappeared. Santos, driven by the good moment, prioritized security and maintained territorial control. In the final minutes, the São Paulo team took more risks, but the drama ended up being maintained on both sides with a draw.
TECHNICAL SHEET
INTERNATIONAL 1 X 1 SANTOS
INTERNATIONAL – Rochet; Aguirre (Bruno Henrique), Vitão, Mercado and Bernabéi; Thiago Maia (Óscar Romero), Bruno Gomes (Alan Benítez), Alan Rodríguez (Gustavo Prado) and Alan Patrick; Vitinho and Borré (Ricardo Mathias). Coach: Ramón Díaz.
SANTOS – Gabriel Brazão; Mayke, Adonis Frías, Luan Peres and Escobar (Souza); Willian Arão, Zé Rafael (João Schmidt) and Victor Hugo (Barreal); Rollheiser (Gabriel Bontempo), Thaciano and Robinho Jr. (Guilherme). Coach: Juan Vojvoda.
GOALS – Alan Patrick, 19 minutes into the first half. Barreal, 16 minutes into the second half.
YELLOW CARDS – Mayke and Thaciano (Santos)
REFEREE – Davi de Oliveira Lacerda (ES)
INCOME – R$405,340.00
AUDIENCE – 37,429 fans
LOCATION – Beira-Rio, in Porto Alegre (RS).
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
