Neymar Causes Stir Ahead of CRB vs Santos Clash – See the Starting Line-Ups
Santos return to action this Thursday (May 22) at 9:30 PM (Brasília time) as they face CRB at the Rei Pelé Stadium in Alagoas for the second leg of the third round of the 2025 Copa do Brasil.
With the first leg ending in a 1-1 draw at Vila Belmiro, a win for either side will secure a place in the round of 16. If the match ends in another draw, the tie will be decided by a penalty shootout.
For this crucial fixture, head coach Cléber Xavier has made three changes from the team that lost 1-0 to Corinthians in the Brasileirão. Souza, Guilherme, and Deivid Washington come into the starting lineup, replacing Escobar, Soteldo, and Tiquinho Soares.
Neymar, returning from a lengthy injury layoff, starts on the bench. His presence has caused a stir in Maceió, with fans breaking through barriers outside the team hotel in a bid to get close to their idol.
RIO DE JANEIRO, May 21 (Xinhua) — Santos have received a major boost ahead of the second leg of their Copa do Brasil third-round tie against CRB, with star forward Neymar set to return from injury.
The 33-year-old trained normally with the squad on Wednesday and is expected to see action in the second half of Thursday’s match in Maceió, in northeastern Brazil.
Neymar has been sidelined since suffering a left hamstring tear during Santos’ 2-0 home victory over Atlético Mineiro in Brazil’s Serie A on April 16. Since rejoining his boyhood club from Al-Hilal on a free transfer in January, he has made just nine appearances across all competitions.
New Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti will be watching closely, hopeful Neymar emerges unscathed and builds match fitness ahead of June’s World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay.
Santos manager Cleber Xavier also received encouraging news with winger Guilherme dos Santos likely to return after recovering from a hip injury sustained on May 1.
However, the team will be without Venezuelan midfielder Yeferson Soteldo due to a left hamstring issue, and left-back Gonzalo Escobar, who is suspended.
এই ওয়েবসাইটের নীতিমালা মেনে কমেন্ট করুন। প্রতিটি কমেন্ট রিভিউ করা হয়।
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