In a game full of alternatives, Fluminense won a great victorythis Sunday (19), in Vila Belmiro, at defeat Santos, 3-2, in a duel valid for the 12th round of the Brazilian Championship. With the result, the Rio team reached 23 points and remains among the firstwhile the team from São Paulo maintains 13 points, very close to the relegation zone.
In his third consecutive game, Neymar appeared to enter the field tired. There were some moments in the first half, when he scored well, but then disappeared from the competition for the ball and was only noticed when complaining to the referee or taking corners. Only in the 37th minute of the second half, the number 10 reappeared and missed a great chance when he shot from inside the penalty area for Fábio to save.
The game started at a slow pacewith the teams studying each other and without objectivity in the attack. But, the Fluminense abused the right to make a mistake and, in the eighth minute, conceded the first goal. Arão stole the ball from Alisson in midfield, passed it to Neymar, who served Gabriel Barbosa: 1 to 0. The move was checked and approved by the video referee, who saw no foul on Alisson from Neymar.
From then on, it was all Santos. With quick touches and good participation from Neymar in setting up playsthe Vila Belmiro team almost scored the second goal, in the 15th minute, again with Gabriel Barbosa and once again with his right foot, after a beautiful play with Bontempo.
The game seemed controlled by Santos, but the Fluminense maintained the tradition of shooting a lot and well from long distance to get the equalizer in the 24th minute in a beautiful finish from distance by Savarino.
Without the presence of coach Cuca (suspended) on the bench, Santos seemed to feel the goalas well as the fans present in Vila Belmiro, who remained silent. Neymar “disappeared” from the field. Fluminense took the opportunity to attack, using full-backs Guga and Arana very well. He tried shots from outside the area, but was unsuccessful.
The end of the first half was marked by Fluminense’s touch of the ball. Neymar was only seen lifting the ball in the opponent’s area with a free kick and when he was dribbled by Savarino in the Santos field in the last play of the first 45 minutes.
Santos returned to the final stage with the intention of putting pressure on Fluminense, but without inspiration to perfectly execute the last pass before finishing. Veteran goalkeeper Fábio was just a privileged spectator of the match.
At 11 minutes, a great goal. Gabriel Barbosa started the play and launched Barreal, who made a beautiful spin to escape the marking and played with great skill to cover Fábio: 2 to 1, Santos.
Fluminense’s response was immediate. In a collective play, Savarino played to Giga on the right and the cross went to Castillo’s head: 2-2, in the 15th minute.
With the draw, balance returned to the match, with the teams taking turns attackingbut with few moments of emotion. At 37, after a mistake by Fluminense, Beymar had the chance to score, but Fábio saved it.
And then came the punishment for missing the goal. When everything was leading to a draw, Guga crossed into the area and John Kennedy tapped in to beat goalkeeper Gabriel Brazãoat 40 minutes.
In desperation, Santos went on the attack, Fluminense could have scored the fourth goalbut the game ended 3-2 for the Rio tricolor.
TECHNICAL SHEET
SANTOS 2 × 3 FLUMINENSE
SANTOS: Gabriel Brazão; Igor Vinícius, Lucas Veríssimo, Luan Peres and Barreal (Lautaro Diaz); Willian Arão, Gustavo Henrique (Rollheiser), Gabriel Bontempo (Thaciano) and Moisés (Rafael Gonzaga); Neymar and Gabriel Barbosa. Coach: Cuquinha.
FLUMINENSE: Fabio; Guga, Jemmes, Freytes and Arana; Bernal (Otávio), Hércules, Alisson (John Kennedy) and Savarino (Riquelme); Serna (Renê) and Castillo (Ganso). Coach: Luis Zubeldía.
GOALS: Gabriel Barbosa at eight and Savarino at 24 minutes of the first half. Barreal at 11, Castillo at 15 and John Kennedy at 40 of the second.
YELLOW CARDS: Igor Vinícius, Gustavo Henrique, Gabriel Barbosa, Bernal, Luís Zubeldía, Alisson, Lucas Veríssimo.
ARBITRATOR: Wilton Pereira Sampaio (GO).
INCOME: R$ 1.192.798,58.
PUBLIC: 14,179 fans.
LOCAL: Vila Belmiro, in Santos (SP).
