Santos x Santo Andre

Tomorrow we face Santo Andre at home. This is a must win game after the loss against Corinthians. That was a game we should have won, we snatched defeat from the jaws of defeat with some comical defending.  

Here's the squad for the game:

Alan Patrick (meia) André (atacante) André Astorga (zagueiro) Douglas (goleiro) Eli Sabiá (zagueiro) Emerson (volante) Fabão (zagueiro) Felipe (goleiro) Felipe Azevedo (atacante) George Lucas (lateral) Germano (volante) Kléber Pereira (atacante) Léo (lateral) Luizinho (lateral) Madson (meia) Neymar (atacante) Pará (lateral) Rodrigo Mancha (volante) Rodrigo Souto (volante) Triguinho (lateral)

The squad is looking a bit depleted.  Ganso and Robson are out through yellow card accumulation. Ganso would be missing anyway since he has been called up for the Brazilian U20 side so he'll be missing for the next couple of weeks. Alan Patrick and Andre have been called up from the base to fill the squad. Maikon Leite is still injured but Fabio Costa is doing light training. 

Here's  hoping for a win and three points at home.

Other news

Tiago Luis was sent out on loan to Portugal

Rumours are linking Edu Dracena, formerly of Fenerbache with us.

It is Hard, but the Libertadores Dream is Still Alive!

Santista Nation,

the game agaist Fluminense wasn't our best performance. We played a weak team that showed why they are in last place in this championship. But a win is always a win and that's what matters. Our goal of being in the next Libertadores Cup is still alive. We are not far at all from the qualifying zone.

Besides the 3 points that we've got, a couple of other things are importante highlight from game. First, Santos has a lot to improve. The first half was ok but the second half was ridiculous! A great portion of our winning came from the quality of our oponent. We'll need to play much better if we want to win our next games.What made the diference was the individual talentes of players such as Ganso, Madson, George Lucas ( I'm actualy pretty excited about this guy) and Emerson. By the way, Emerson is far from his best game but we all saw the team playing better while he was on the field. Also, it is important to remember that it was another game without being scored against. Second, it was nice to see the yonger players making the diference. Andre and Ganso showed that they know the game and that thay can be a important asset for out team. Third, I was pleased with our fans. They were there and did what they had to do to support and motivate the group. Vila belmiro needs to be, again, what it is knonw for. The visitor team must fear us in our own stadium again.

Tomorrow we play Corinthians. We have a good chance to win this one as well if we present a better game than the one presented Sunday. The numbers can prove that. My brother will be at Pacaembu Stadium representing the Casado Family. VAI PRA CIMA DELES, SANTOS!!!!

Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ECASADO

Pre-Match Report: Santos x Fluminese

Overview

Tomorrow at the Vila Belmiro Santos face Fluminese. Santos are in 10th position with 29 points, while Fluminese are rooted to the bottom of the able on 16 points. 

The referee is Evandro Rogério Roman with his assistants being Roberto Braatz and Altemir Hausmann.

Form

Santos’ last game was an exciting 3x3 at home to Internacional.  Luxemburgo is looking to go more offensive and it showed in the scoreline. However, the numerous defensive lapses is also indicated. If a balance can be found this new look Santos can be deadly.

Fluminese's last game was a 0x0 draw with Gremio Barueri. They have been the Atlas of the league this season, having been well acquainted with the bottom of the table for sometime. 

In the Brasileirão, the teams have faced each other 36 times. Santos’ record is 11 wins, 8 draws and 17 losses. 

Team News

Kleber Pereira, Rodrigo Mancha, and Fabão are suspended for the game. Maikon Leite and Fabio Costa  are unavailable as a result of injury. Alan Bahia has been called up from the base to replace Mancha in the squad, while Tiago Luis comes in for Kleber Pereira. New signing; Jean, is still absent.  Pará  returns from suspension.

The squad for the match is as follows:

Goleiros: Felipe, Douglas 

Zagueiros: André Astorga, Domingos, Eli Sabiá 

Laterais: Para, Léo, George Lucas, Triguinho 

Volantes: Germano, Alan Bahia, Rodrigo Souto, Emerson

Meias: Robson, Madson, Paulo Henrique Lima 

Atacantes: Felipe Azevedo, Neymar, André, Tiago Luis 

Conclusion

A must win game against a very poor side. 

Predicted lineup

Felipe

Lucas--Domingos--Eli Sabiá--Para

Robson--Souto--Germano--P.H. Lima

Madson--Andre

Jean has been presented as a Santos player

Jean's presentation was today and he expressed his hope to score many goals for the club. When asked about his tag as a player who never scores he had this to say - and I paraphrase:

"This thing that i don't like to score goals doesn't exist. Everyone likes goals. It is my character to seek spaces on the field and move towards the center forward position. If I didn't score goals , how would I survive as a forward?"

Jean was the top scorer for Al-Sharjah back in the UAE. He joined the club in the 2nd round of the championships and scored 6 goals in 12 games. He continued:

" I scored the goal that saved the team from relegation in the last round. They even wanted me to stay there but the possibility of a big club in Brazil, such as Santos, and to work with Luxemburgo was more enticing."

Right now Jean is waiting for his registration to be transfered from the UAE to the CBF. This had been delayed since this is the month of Ramadan and Muslims work only at night. 

The expectation is that the transfer will be completed on Friday so he will be available to face Fluminese on Sunday.

Nome: Jean Carlos da Silva Ferreira 

Data e local de nascimento: 03/03/1982, em São Gonçalo (RJ) 
Altura: 1,75m

Peso: 65kg 
Clubes: Al-Sharjah-Emirados Árabes; Corinthians; Vasco; Saturn-RUS; Cruzeiro; Flamengo e Fluminense

Títulos: Taça Guanabara 2004 (Flamengo); Campeonato Carioca 2004 (Flamengo)

Full story from globoesporte.com

Post Match Thoughts: Santos 3x3 Internacional

The Match

Well Luxa said he was going to attack and attack he did. The major changes were Robson on the right side of midfield for German, and Leo for Para at left back. This was Leo's 300th game for Santos. Congratulations and thank you for your service to the club. 

The team came out attacking and managed to get a two goal lead earlier into the first half. Madson pounced onto an idle back header to make it one nil. Shortly after K. Pereira doubled the score with some great work to dummy his defender and a thunderous finish into the back of the net. Madson had a chance to make it 3x0 but his chip landed on top of the net. Everything looked rosy, Inter were being dominated and we were into a 2x0 lead. 

Then Inter pulled them selves back into the game.

Slowly they began asserting themselves and exposing our weak defense.  The first goal started down the right when an ill advised tackle let Taison free down the wing. The low cross was harmless enough, but some laziness from Sabia and Leo allowed Alecsandro to tap it in from close range.

Inter equalized from a free kick where Alecandro escaped from his marker to nod in from close range. Some of the blame must go to Felipe though. He should have come to claim the cross.

Thus halftime came and the game was tied at 2x2. 

Right after the restart we came close to scoring though two close long range efforts by Ganso. Then K. Pereira had a header saved. A superb cross from Leo provided the opportunity. Inter were again on the ropes as we came at them but it from the next goal it seems the team got caught up in attacking.

Leo was bringing the ball out from the bak where he lost in. I counted FIVE players in a line running back to defend. That was comical. The teams was out of position too much and that has been a consistent problem.

Eventually the ball made it's way to a wide open Alecsandro who curled the ball into the back of the net. Seeing the goal in real time one would have thought that it was George Lucas' fault when he left Alecsandro to cover Andrezinho. On close inspection, Lucas' movement would have left Alecsandro offside if it weren't for Eli Sabia who didn't step up to play the offside trap.

The score was now 2x3 but we kept on pressing. The tying goal came soon after.

George Lucas received the ball on the right wing and crossed the ball exquisitely onto the head of K. Pereira who nodded it home. He gave Lauro no chance. That made the score 3x3.

The game was still a lively affair as both teams searched for the winner. Then a penalty area scrap during a Santos free kick caused the referee to send off K. Pereira and Sorondo. This caused the game to slow somewhat, as neither team wanted to leave space at the back when only 10 men on the field. 

Before full time Danilo of Inter received a second yellow card for time wasting. Inter were down to 9 men and we smelled blood. 

The team led a final charge against Inter who packed it in. After four minutes of added time the ref blew the whistle to end a throughly entertaining match.

Thoughts

The teams new attacking mentality was a breath of fresh air, but the defensive recklessness that can with it was worrying. In addition  to players being caught out of position too much, our defense doesn't seem to be strong enough to support an all out attack mode. Eli Sabia who looks decent when the team plays defensive showed himself to be a dud today. Luxa needs to invest into a new center back. Souto and Mancha also moved up too much and forgot to protect the defense at times. 

If Luxa can teach the team how to balance this new attacking mentality with their defensive duties this could be a great thing to continue. 

George Lucas is without doubt one of the best players on the team already. His crossing and set pieces are something to behold. 

Looking Forward

The next game is at home to Fluminese. K. Pereira is suspended, so this may be the debut of Jean. He said today, "Adoro marcar gols", let's hope that bodes well. Para is back from suspension and  - I am sad to say - should replace Leo. I think he showed his age against Inter. 

Emerson may be available and would be an interesting starter combined with this attacking mentality. He could be the wall in front of the defense while Souto provides support going forward.

Fluminese are at the bottom of the table and this should be a comfortable win.

Other news

Reports say that Roberto Carlos wants to come to Santos after his contract with Fenerbache is finished. He says it was  his father's dream for him to play for Santos.

He would be an excellent signing IMO.

Pre-Match Report: Santos x Internacional

Overview

Tonight at the Vila Belmiro Santos face Internacional. Santos are in 11th position with 28 points, 5 less than their opponents - who are fifth. 

The referee is Luiz Antônio dos Santos with his assistants being Marco Aurélio dos Santos Pessanha and Wagner de Almeida do Santos.

Form

Santos’ last game was a 2x1 loss away to Goiás.  Internacional’s last game a 2x1 loss away to Palmeiras. 

Both teams will eager to win this decisive game as there is an opportunity to move up the table since they have games in hand.

In the Brasileirão, the teams have faced each other 39 times. Santos’ record is 16 wins, 8 draws and 15 losses. However, in games played at the Vila Belmiro Santos holds a commanding 9-0-0 record. 

Team News

Luxa is planning to go more offensive for this match by replacing Germano with Robson on the right wing. Léo returns to the squad and he is expected to start. This will be his 300th game for the club. 

Maikon Leite and Fabio Costa  are unavailable as a result of injury. New signing; Jean, is still absent.  Pará  is suspended after picking up a third yellow card against Goiás.

The squad for the match is as follows:

Goleiros: Felipe, Douglas 

Zagueiros: André Astorga, Domingos, Eli Sabiá, Fabão 

Laterais: Luizinho, Léo, George Lucas, Triguinho 

Volantes: Germano, Rodrigo Mancha, Rodrigo Souto, Emerson

Meias: Robson, Madson, Paulo Henrique Lima 

Atacantes: Felipe Azevedo, Kleber Pereira, Neymar, André 

Post Match Thoughts: Goiás 2x1 Santos

This wasn't an unexpected defeat since Goiás have been playing well. The two goals were down to preventable defensive mistakes. Felipe was blameless for both IMO. K. Pereira managed to score a soft goal to pull one back, but in the end we couldn't get another.

Inter is up next in a vital clash at home.