Understand Santos’ tactics to disrupt Palmeiras’ defense in the first final | Tactical Panel

Santos beat Palmeiras 1-0, at Vila Belmiro, in the first match of the Campeonato Paulista finals, and started with an advantage for the decision, which will be next Sunday (07), at Allianz Parque.

The victory was built especially in the first 60 minutes of the game. After a good first half, Fabio Carille’s team opened the scoring with Otero, just 4 minutes into the second half, and held off Palmeiras’ pressure in the final minutes with a great performance from João Paulo.

It was very clear that Santos knew how to play against Palmeiras. Set up in a 4-2-3-1, the Baixada team had a line of midfielders formed by Guilherme on the right, Giuliano centrally and Otero on the left, with Julio Furch in attack.

The offensive quartet made life hell for the three defenders from Palmeiras, who were not covered by the wingers or the midfielders when the black and white arrivals arrived.

The reason is the “drawing” that Santos did when he came out with the ball dominated from behind. As usual, Carille likes a full-back to play more inside, close to the defensive midfielders. In much of Paulistão it was Aderlan, and with the right side undefined, Felipe Jonathan took on that role. Palmeiras had to mark this exit. As? Mayke came out from behind and came to “catch” Felipe almost in the middle. Look:

It wasn’t just Mayke who scored big. Aníbal, the first midfielder of Palmeiras’ 3-4-1-2, jumped to mark João Schmidt. When one steering wheel leaves, the other stays, right? But Zé Rafael also jumped, often to mark a defender. With this, Palmeiras opened a crater between their midfielders and defenders, the space that Giuliano and Otero used to build the game.

With Mayke out of place, Guilherme was left with the role of receiving the ball and leading the attack. It was the best of the game because there was a lot of free space until Marcos Rocha, Palmeiras’ third defender, pulled over. All because F. Jonathan attracted the winger and created space. See how Santos manages to manipulate a defense with five players in order to constantly get ahead.

Guilherme had the role of “opening” the field with the full-back on his side freer to play with the midfielders. The rest of the offensive quartet changed positions. Otero exchanged with Giuliano, Furch opened at the edge of the area…all to disrupt Palmeiras’ three defenders and take the wingers out of play.

With very sharp wingers and a team that collectively created space for them, it was to be expected that Santos’ goal would come through the most dangerous route in the game. Note that Palmeiras’ defense has problems again: this time it’s Marcos Rocha out of place. Aníbal covers the defense, but note that the entrance to the area is free, in the space that belonged to Aníbal.

This space makes Murilo hesitate during the ball: does he stay with Otero or protect the free player’s space? It was at this time that number 7 headed the goal into the back of the net that declared victory.

Paulistão’s decision is open. Palmeiras is a strong team and has already had adverse results. But Santos is a worthy opponent, who knew how to reinvent themselves amid the saddest page in their history and arrives strong – and with a precious advantage – to crown the year of reconstruction.