Coming from Cruzeiro on loan to the club that revealed him, the striker showed that he could form a promising duo with Neymar
The team turned around and won 2-1 this Saturday at Vila Belmiro in the debut of the Campeonato Paulista. The victory marked the return of his third spell at the coastal club, and it was number 9 who scored the equalizer for the home team. Coming from Cruzeiro on loan to the club that revealed him, Gabigol showed that he could form a promising duo with Neymar, who is recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. The number 10 was at Vila Belmiro and was very popular with the fans. Close to being announced as a reinforcement for Santos, Gabriel Menino was also present in Vila.
Newly hired, Gabigol showed a lot of willingness to find the net after just 2 minutes, in his first appearance in the game, with a shot inside the area on the right. The goal, however, was disallowed due to offside by William Arão, responsible for the assistance, in the construction of the play. Santos managed to put pressure on at the beginning of the game, with strong pressing on Novorizontino’s exit and trying to open up the rival defense by advancing down the flanks. Gabigol had another opportunity in the 11th minute, when he finished off a cross from the left with a strong shot. The move was again disallowed due to offside.
Novorizontino, under a lot of pressure at the beginning of the game, improved after the hydration break and reached the goal. After a dispute in midfield, Novorizontino took advantage of the surplus. Rômulo advanced freely and opened to the left, where Diego Galo rose unmarked. He invaded the area and shot hard, crossed. Goalkeeper Gabriel Brazão touched the ball, but did not prevent the goal.
The teams found more space, and goal chances appeared. Caballero wasted a great opportunity to equalize after goalkeeper Jordi left the area hastily to try to clear the danger. Caballero took advantage of the surplus and shot at the unguarded goal, but without direction.
Brazão was essential in preventing Santos from ending the first half with a greater disadvantage by making two consecutive saves after a mistake from the defense. Caballero missed another chance to equalize in the first half when he was launched from the left, dribbled past goalkeeper Jordi, entered the area and shot out. Gabigol had another chance, but shot over the goal at the end of the first half.
Caballero did not return for the second half and gave way to Robinho Jr. The young 18-year-old striker showed why the Santos fans were asking for him to come in as soon as the match resumed by hitting a ball for Gabigol. After invading the area, he fell into a dispute with the defender and asked for a penalty, which was not awarded.
Novorizontino threatened Brazão’s goal, but conceded the equalizer in the 6th minute. In a play on the left, Lautaro Díaz crossed to Gabigol, who in the area pivoted to Rollheiser. The shot was blocked by the defense, but the ball went to Gabigol, who shot from the left into Jordi’s right corner.
Santos hit the crossbar, with a header from Thaciano after a free kick, before managing to turn it around. Thaciano, who replaced Rollheiser, anticipated the defender’s marking and completed a cross from Igor Vinícius to guarantee Santos’ comeback in the 43rd minute.
For the second round of Paulista, Santos will compete in the classic with Palmeiras in Barueri, on Wednesday. Novorizontino hosts Guarani on Tuesday.
Technical sheet
SANTOS 2 X 1 NOVORIZONTINO
SANTOS – Gabriel Brazão; Igor Vinícius, Adônis Frías, Zé Ivaldo (Luan Peres) and Escobar; Willian Arão, João Schmidt (Gustavo Henrique) and Rollheiser (Thaciano); Caballero (Robinho Jr.), Lautaro Díaz (Mateus Xavier) and Gabigol. Coach: Juan Pablo Vojvoda.
NOVORIZONTINO – Jordi; Alvariño, Gabriel Bahia, Patrick and Mayk; Léo Naldi, Luís Oyama (Vinícius Paiva), Diego Galo and Rômulo (Juninho); Tavinho and Robson (Matheus Bianqui). Coach: Enderson Moreira.
GOALS – Diego Galo, 24 minutes into the first half; Gabigol, in the 6th minute, and Thaciano, in the 43rd minute, of the second half.
YELLOW CARDS – Rollheiser, Zé Ivaldo and Gustavo Henrique (Santos).
INCOME AND PUBLIC – not disclosed.
REFEREE – Flávio Rodrigues de Souza (SP).
LOCATION – Vila Belmiro Stadium, in Santos (SP).
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
