Santos started this Thursday afternoon, March 12, 2026, the official preparation for the classic against Corinthians, valid for the sixth round of Campeonato Brasileiro. The activity held at CT Rei Pelé was attended by striker Neymar, who worked normally with the ball after being preserved from the team’s last commitment. The return of number 10 is seen as fundamental to the plans of coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda, who seeks to rehabilitate the team in the league table after the recent draw away from home.
The movement at the training center marked the re-presentation of the Santos squad after the duel against Mirassol, which took place at the Maião stadium. Enquanto the athletes who played as starters remained inside the complex for regenerative work, the reserves and unrelated players went to the pitch. Neymar actively participated in rigorous technical training, demonstrating good physical conditions for the clash that will take place next Sunday, at 4pm (local time), at Vila Belmiro.
Peixe preparations include the following points of attention:
- Full physical recovery of athletes who endured the high intensity of the previous game in the interior of São Paulo.
- Tactical integration of the offensive sector with the return of Neymar to collective movements and finishing rehearsals.
- Detailed clinical monitoring of the defensive system to guarantee the ideal structure in the regional classic.
- Positioning adjustments in dead balls, considering the opponent’s recent record in the national championship.
Physical recovery of Luan Peres encourages technical committee
Defender Luan Peres brought considerable relief to the coaching staff led by Vojvoda by appearing without serious injuries after the last game. The defender had left the field with pain in his left ankle, generating immediate concern about a possible sprain that would rule him out of Sunday’s classic. However, the tests carried out found that the athlete only suffered from severe cramps, which allowed him to remain in internal gym activities alongside the regulars.
Medical evaluation will continue to be carried out daily until the day of the match to ensure that the defender is 100% recovered from muscle wear. The internal expectation is that he forms the starting defense duo, maintaining the defensive consistency that the Argentine coach considers essential to face the Corinthians’s offensive sector. Caso does not present new symptoms of pain, the athlete must go to the field for the decisive tactical training that will take place this Friday afternoon.
Status of the medical department and confirmed absences
Midfielder Zé Rafael remains the only confirmed absence from the Santos squad for this weekend’s clash on the coast of São Paulo. The player remains in intensive treatment under the supervision of the club’s physiotherapists to cure edema in the semimembranous muscle of his right thigh. The injury requires caution, and the medical department chose not to accelerate the athlete’s return to prevent the clinical condition from transforming into a more severe muscle tear.
Without Zé Rafael, Vojvoda studies alternatives to compose the creation and marking sector in midfield, seeking to maintain the balance between defense and attack. The coach has been testing different formations to overcome the lack of combativeness and refined passing that the midfielder usually offers to the starting team. The official definition of the open position in the medium sector should only occur after the closed tactical activities that close the training week.
Internal environment and celebrations at CT Rei Pelé
Despite the pressure for positive results in Campeonato Brasileiro, the atmosphere in CT Rei Pelé demonstrated moments of relaxation during this Thursday afternoon. Midfielder Willian Arão turned 34 years old and received the traditional celebration from his teammates before the activities on the pitch began. Esse type of interaction is valued by football management to strengthen the bonds of the group of players before matches of high emotional tension.
The unity of the squad is one of the pillars defended by Vojvoda so that Santos can climb the table, where they currently have five points won in five rounds. The coach believes that the experience of players like Arão and Neymar will be decisive in guiding the younger athletes during the ninety minutes of the classic. The leadership exercised by these veterans has been fundamental in maintaining tactical focus even in the face of external demands for a more regular performance in the national competition.
Tactical strategy for the duel at Vila Belmiro
Juan Pablo Vojvoda must use this Friday’s activity to define the strategic positioning that Santos will adopt against Corinthians in its domains. The coach prioritizes possession of the ball and pressure on the opponent’s game, using the speed of his wingers to open up the rival defense. With the return of Neymar, the range of offensive options increases significantly, allowing variations between a more centralized scheme or with greater amplitude on the sides of the field.
Tactical work focused specifically on the opponent is a hallmark of the work of the Argentine technical committee, which analyzes videos and statistical data from opponents to put together the game plan. Players will be guided on the defensive movements necessary to nullify the main articulators of Corinthians, who usually exploit quick counterattacks. Maintaining physical intensity during both game halves was a point strongly reinforced by the coach in individual conversations with the athletes.
The key elements of Santos’ strategy for the classic are:
- High marking to force an error in the ball leaving the opponent’s defensive system in Vila Belmiro.
- Use of quick transitions taking advantage of Neymar’s vision of the game and precision in long passes.
- Constant defensive coverage by the flanks to prevent the team from being exposed during offensive advances.
- Maximum exploitation of the dimensions of the Vila pitch to wear down the opponent’s marking through ball circulation.
Fan expectations and importance of the result
The derby against Corinthians is treated internally as a watershed for Santos at the beginning of their journey in Campeonato Brasileiro 2026. A home victory not only boosts the group’s morale, but also propels the team to the top of the table, removing the ghost of irregularity. The Santos fans have already sold out a large part of the available tickets, promising an environment of strong pressure on their rival and unconditional support for Vojvoda’s men.
The club’s board also understands the commercial and institutional importance of a triumph in a game with such global visibility, especially with Neymar on the field. The star attracts attention from different countries, which enhances the brand of Santos and the sponsors involved in the club’s professional football project. Sunday’s result will have a direct impact on planning for the next rounds, including influencing the maintenance of internal tranquility for long-term work.
Recent history and performance in classics
Santos’s performance in regional derbies has been a recurring theme in Juan Pablo Vojvoda’s press conferences since his arrival at the club. The coach emphasizes that these games are decided in detail and that concentration needs to be absolute from the first to the last minute of the match. The recent retrospective shows a balance between the teams, but the home factor is seen as Peixe’s great asset to tip the scales in their favor this time.
In the last clashes held at Vila Belmiro, Santos managed to impose their pace of play, making it difficult for Corinthians’s offensive actions with a very tight marking. The technical committee hopes to repeat this pattern, but with greater effectiveness in finishing, a problem that was detected in the draw against Mirassol. Adjusting the attackers’ aim was one of the focuses of the specific training carried out by the technical assistants during this productive Thursday afternoon.
Cast preparation will follow the following schedule:
- Main tactical training on Friday afternoon behind closed doors for formation adjustments.
- Light and recreational activity on Saturday morning followed by full concentration at the club hotel.
- Final lecture led by Vojvoda focused on specific emotional and tactical aspects of the classic.
- Travel to Vila Belmiro on Sunday with expected reception from fans around the stadium.
Opponent analysis and defensive precautions
Corinthians arrives for the classic at a time of tactical reconstruction, which makes the opponent unpredictable in the eyes of Santos’s performance analysts. The team from the capital has alternated between solid defensive formations and more aggressive stances away from home, requiring Peixe to be prepared for any scenario. Vojvoda warned its defenders about the need for constant communication, especially to avoid infiltrations by socks that appear as a surprise in the Santos area.
Increased attention to aerial plays was also on the agenda at CT Rei Pelé, as the rival has tall players and good headers in corners. Luan Peres and his defender teammates trained exhaustively on positioning and timing the ball to neutralize this, which is one of the opponent’s main weapons. The strategy is not to concede unnecessary fouls near the penalty area, minimizing the opponent’s scoring opportunities through set pieces.
Integration of new talents and the role of the base
In addition to the established stars, Vojvoda has given space to young promises from the youth teams to join the professional team’s training during this classic week. Essa integration aims not only to fill any gaps in the squad, but also to prepare new talents for the pressure atmosphere that involves a game against the biggest rival. Alguns of these young players can appear on the bench as options for the second half, depending on the progress of the match and tactical needs.
The Argentine coach is known for not being afraid to launch young players at decisive moments, as long as they demonstrate maturity in training. The presence of Neymar serves as inspiration and practical learning for these athletes, who closely observe the dedication and technique of the global idol. Essa mix of youth and experience is seen by the board as the ideal formula to guarantee the sustainable success of Santos in national and international competitions throughout the 2026 season.