Santos FC go make dia Copa Sudamericana debut dis Wednesday, and e no go easy at all. Dem dey travel go Ecuador to face Deportivo Cuenca for dia first match inside Group D. But as dem dey prepare for dis continental competition, big wahala dey for dia camp.
Neymar, di star wey dem dey depend on, no even travel with di squad. Di 34-year-old attacker dey recover from injury, and im coach Alexi Stival “Cuca” don confirm say “E no go travel.” Gabigol, another key player, join Neymar for di sidelines as dem dey treat injuries. Even Miguelito no fit play because of physical issue, and Tomás Rincón no get visa to enter Ecuador.
But na so life be. Santos coach don turn to youth academy product Rafael Gonzaga, wey go get im first chance with di senior team as starter. Willian Arão dey return to di lineup too. Igor VinÃcius and Rony don come back available, so small hope dey.
Di match go hold for Alejandro Serrano Aguilar stadium for Ecuador. Deportivo Cuenca, under Argentine coach Jorge Célico, dey make dia group stage debut for dis international tournament. Dem dey ready to test Santos wey dey carry plenty problems.
For Santos, dis Copa Sudamericana na big opportunity for Neymar to show imself again. World Cup dey around di corner, and di Brazilian national team selector no dey consider am. Dis competition fit be im chance to seduce Carlo Ancelotti and prove say im physical problems don finish.
But di reality hard. Santos dey closer to relegation dan to top for Brasileirão. Some people dey wonder if dem go prioritize di league over dis continental competition. Di task no go easy at all.
Group D na tough group. Besides Deportivo Cuenca and Santos, Recoleta from Paraguay and San Lorenzo from Argentina complete di set. San Lorenzo and Recoleta go face each other at di same time as dis Santos match.
Di starting lineup wey Santos go likely use include Gabriel Brazão in goal, with Lucas VerÃssimo, Luan Peres, Rafael Gonzaga, Gustavo Henrique for defense. Midfield go feature Christian Oliva, Willian Arão, and Gabriel Bontempo. For attack, Rony, Moisés, and Lautaro Diaz go carry di burden.
As di clock dey tick toward 15:00 local time dis Wednesday, all eyes dey on Ecuador. Santos fans dey hope say dia team fit overcome di absence of dia stars. Deportivo Cuenca fans dey believe say dis na perfect time to catch Santos while dem weak.
Di Copa Sudamericana don begin, and for Group D, di drama don start already. Whether Santos fit survive without Neymar and Gabigol, time go tell. But one thing sure: di match go hot.
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