Santos secured a 1-1 draw against Internacional at Beira-Rio in the 35th round of the Campeonato Brasileiro on Monday (24/11). Coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda confirmed that Neymar, sidelined by knee discomfort, is expected to return for the next match against Sport. Despite the result, Santos remains in the relegation zone.
The clash between Internacional and Santos, played at Estádio Beira-Rio on the night of November 24, ended in a 1-1 draw, closing the 35th round of the Brasileirão. In the first half, Internacional dominated with 14 shots to Santos's zero. At the 20th minute, Alan Patrick opened the scoring after a pass from Alan Rodríguez and a chest layoff from Borré, finishing with his left foot to bulge the net.
In the second half, Santos responded. At the 17th minute, Guilherme dribbled his marker, ran to the byline, and crossed for Álvaro Barreal, who controlled with his chest and volleyed across goal without letting the ball drop, leveling the score. Both teams pushed for a winner, but the scoreline held.
Post-match, Santos coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda addressed the press about Neymar, who missed the game due to knee discomfort felt before the Mirassol match and worsened the next day. "Before the Mirassol game, he felt discomfort in his knee; during the match he felt it too. The next day, he had significant knee discomfort, and we know we have games every three days," the coach explained. On the return, he was emphatic: "The plan is for Neymar to be in the match against Sport. His commitment is to be there; he always wants to be present."
The result preserved Internacional's 12-year tabu against Santos as visitors: Santos's last away win was in September 2013, 2-1, and at Beira-Rio in 2008, 1-0. Since then, in 11 games at the gaúcho stadium, Inter has seven wins and four draws.
In the standings, Internacional sits 15th with 41 points, while Santos remains 17th with 38 points, in the relegation zone (Z4). Both teams return to action on Friday (28/11): Santos hosts Sport at 9:30 PM in Vila Belmiro, and Internacional faces Vasco at 7:30 PM in São Januário.
