Neymar injury, Santos still beat Internacional 3-2: The tactical puzzle without a superstar

Brazilian football is witnessing a paradox: the team lost its brightest star, but still won away against a strong opponent. That is the story of Santos this week, when they had to face a storm of injuries sweeping through the squad right before the decisive phase of the season. Neymar's absence, a grade 2B hamstring injury, disrupted the entire attacking plan of coach Cuca. Not only Neymar, but winger Álvaro Barreal and defender Lucas Veríssimo also had to sit out. However, the 3-2 victory over Internacional in Porto Alegre showed that Santos as a collective still has enough life, at least for one match. The problem for the coaching staff is not just finding a replacement for Neymar, but rebuilding the attacking operation without a player capable of individual brilliance. Neymar's hat-trick against Fluminense earlier showed he is the center of every attacking move, but now Santos must find another way. Data from the Internacional match shows Santos did not play passively defensive. They held 48% possession, created 11 shots, 5 on target. Importantly, they no longer relied on a single bright spot in attack. Instead, central combinations became more flexible, with the participation of all three central midfielders. This could be a sign that Cuca is reshaping the play in a more collective direction. The additions of Rodinei at right-back, along with Arthur Melo and Lima in midfield, provide the needed squad depth. Arthur Melo, formerly of Barcelona and Juventus, brings not only experience but also the ability to control the game's tempo. Lima, a young energetic midfielder, makes Santos' midfield more dynamic. Rodinei, an attacking full-back, fills a position Santos has lacked for a long time. However, we must be realistic. The win over Internacional is just a small sample, not enough to confirm Santos has found a sustainable winning formula. They will face Atlético Mineiro in the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinal with Neymar certainly absent. This is the real test for the team's tactical operation. The biggest question experts ask is whether Santos should change their tactical formation. With Neymar, they often played 4-2-3-1 with Neymar as a free playmaker. Without him, Cuca could switch to 4-3-3 with three central midfielders and two fast wingers. This flexibility was seen in the Internacional match, where Santos transitioned to attack faster, exploiting spaces behind the opponent's defense. Another notable point is how Santos handled Neymar's injury. They did not rush him back, but patiently waited until he is 100% fit. This shows the club leadership looks beyond a few matches. They understand that if Neymar re-injures himself, the consequences will be more severe than missing him for a month. This strategy, though it may cost points in the short term, protects their biggest asset in the long run. Financially, Santos' transfer activity this window shows some preparation. Signing Rodinei, Arthur Melo, and Lima were not blockbuster deals, but they address specific positional needs. Arthur Melo arrived on a free transfer, while Rodinei and Lima had undisclosed fees. This suggests Santos did not panic-buy, but had a clear recruitment plan. However, analysts question whether these signings can compensate for Neymar's absence. Tactically, none of them can create magic like Neymar. Arthur Melo is a sweeper, Lima is a box-to-box midfielder, and Rodinei is a complete full-back. They will make Santos more solid, but cannot replace the genius moments Neymar can produce. The Internacional match also showed something important: Santos is not afraid without their star. They still pressed high, still built up short passes from the back, and still created dangerous chances. This reflects a solid tactical foundation, not dependent on any individual. That is a positive sign for the future. But we must admit that one win cannot hide underlying issues. Santos' defense still leaves spaces on the flanks, and without Veríssimo, they will struggle against strong attacks. Their expected goals against (xGA) in the Internacional match was 1.8, not terrible but not excellent. Cuca will need to fine-tune further. Another bright spot is the maturity of young players. Without Neymar, players like Wesley, Patati, and Angelo have more opportunities to shine. They took advantage, showing confidence and hunger. This not only helps Santos now but creates valuable resources for the future. Looking ahead, the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinal against Atlético Mineiro will be the most accurate measure of Santos' true strength. Atlético Mineiro is an organized team, with a tight style, and very hard to beat. If Santos can get a good result in the first leg at home, they will have a big advantage. But if not, they will face huge pressure in the second leg. An interesting detail: in the Internacional match, Santos scored from a set piece and two fast counter-attacks. This shows they diversified their approach to goal. Previously, with Neymar, they often attacked centrally and relied on individual skill. Now, they use the speed of wingers and precision in set pieces. Coach Cuca also showed flexibility in using personnel. He showed good game reading, changing tactics when needed. In the Internacional match, he switched from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 when the home team pushed forward late, helping preserve the score. This shows he is not stubborn but willing to adapt. However, we must remember that football is a sport of moments. A team can play well in one match, but slump in the next. Consistency is the key to a successful season. Santos will need to maintain this form for many more weeks, especially when playing both domestic league and continental cup. Professionally, I believe Santos' patience with Neymar is a correct decision. Many other teams might risk bringing a player back early, but that often leads to more serious injuries. Santos is learning from past mistakes, and this will help them be more sustainable in the long run. The new signings also need time to integrate. Arthur Melo, despite his experience at the highest level, still needs time to adapt to the current Brazilian football environment. Lima, though young and enthusiastic, needs guidance from seniors. Rodinei, though familiar with the league, needs to understand Cuca's tactical demands. Patience is key. The match against Atlético Mineiro will take place in mid-August, and that is when Neymar may have returned to training. However, according to medical staff, he will not play until he is 100% fit. This means Santos will face their strongest opponent without their number one star. That will be a difficult test. But if we look at history, big teams often know how to overcome difficulties. Santos has won Copa Libertadores without their best players in some matches. They have a winning culture, and that cannot be erased by an injury. With quality additions and a clear tactical plan, they can confidently expect a good result. Ultimately, Santos' story is not just about Neymar, but about how a collective overcomes adversity. The win over Internacional showed they can live without a superstar. The important thing is to maintain that spirit throughout the difficult period ahead. If they do, they will not only survive the injury storm but become stronger. Football always holds surprises, and Santos is proving they can create positive surprises. Let's wait and see how they face Atlético Mineiro, and whether the new signings can shine without Neymar. That will be the most interesting story of Brazilian football in August.