What a snooze fest – Santos 0×0 Botafogo

By: Socratinho | September 20th, 2009

Boos rain down in the Vila Belmiro as the game ends in a scoreless draw. I can’t blame my fellow Santistas. I was falling asleep at the computer. The team sputtered and blew but chances were few and far between. The suspension of George Lucas and Ganso’s call-up to the U20 squad left us looking bare.

Luxa had the team setup in a 3-5-2 formation. I assume this was his answer to not having Ganso. Haven’t you heard that old adage? When you have a crap defense, it’s best to go all out attack. Oh wait … that’s not it.

I knew this would be a tough game since Botafogo are no push overs but it’s the way the team played that bothers me. There were some chances – mostly from long ranged shots – throughout the game but I never thought that we would score. Botafogo on the other hand were always on the verge of scoring. They were only stopped by the wonderboy goalkeeper who is Felipe. I seriously think Fabio Costa will be on the bench when he returns to full fitness. Felipe is a monster.

Souto was deployed behind the strikers but he doesn’t have a creative bone in his body. Then on the wings were Germano (a defensive midfielder) and Léo (a 35 year old left back). Then to top it all off Madson was left on the bench. Neymar tried to provide the ideas but he hasn’t been in the best form as of late.

In the second half Luxa put on André and Alan Patrick. That meant that in addition to fours guys over 33 (Léo, Kleber Pereira, Emerson, and Fabão), we now had four guys under 21 on the pitch (Alan, André, Neymar, and Felipe). That when the thought crossed my mind, “Are we the Milan of Brazil?”.

We were attacking more after the changes the attack was still stunted by decision making in the final third. André was particularly lively but as times he tried too much. He was often isolated down the right, but he battled well. It make me wonder what could have been possible if George Lucas were fit.

So it’s Atletico Mineiro next week. There has to be some revenge for the debacle at the Vila Belmiro some months ago. Luxa needs to sort out his tactics. He fiddles too much. I pray that Edu Dracena is ready to play so our defense can see semi-respectable. George Lucas will be back from suspension but Ganso will be in Egypt with the U20 team.

” Please come back Ganso”