Santos – Palmeiras: Additional time goal lifts Neymar’s Santos out of the relegation zone and knocks Palmeiras off the top

In a postponed Matchday 13 fixture, Palmeiras lost to Santos, their rival, 1–0 with a goal in additional time. Neymar’s team managed to escape the relegation zone while facing one of the best teams on the continent, under the celebration of their fans and with brilliant performances from Robinho Jr and Igor Vinícius.

Tactical analysis and match report by Marcus Arboés.

Vojvoda repeated the starting lineup from the match against Flamengo, with the exception of center-back Luan Peres, who was injured. In a 4-3-3 outline, Gabriel Brazão (former Internazionale), accompanied by Igor Vinícius, Frias, Zé Ivaldo, and Souza in the back line; William Arão, Zé Rafael (former Palmeiras), and João Schmidt formed the trio of holding midfielders; in attack, Barreal played on the right, Guilherme on the left, and Neymar operated as a false nine.

Abel Ferreira, due to a large number of absences caused by injuries and international duty, chose to rest even more players and field a practically reserve 4-4-2 outline. Carlos Miguel in goal; Khellven as the right fullback, Jefte (former Rangers) on the left, Murilo and Micael as center-backs; in midfield, Bruno Fuchs improvised as a holding midfielder played alongside Aníbal Moreno; Felipe Anderson and Maurício were deployed wide; Bruno Rodrigues and Raphael Veiga formed the front two.

Santos offensive and dominant in the first half

With so many absences, Palmeiras, who had been dominant, looked completely unrecognizable, not only because of the players on the pitch but also because of their posture, as they spent most of the first half trying to counterattack while Santos showed strong technical and tactical criteria to . . .