See Santos’ options to make up for the loss of Lucas Braga, the absolute starter with Marcelo Fernandes

Santos will have an important absence in the next round of the Brazilian Championship. Lucas Braga was sent off in the 2-1 victory over Flamengo, this Thursday, and will have to serve a suspension against Cuiabá, on Monday.

The striker, who plays improvised as a full-back or right winger, has been an important part of Marcelo Fernandes’ scheme. He has been a starter in all commitments since the interim took over. In other words, there are eight games in a row between the starting 11.

Now, without Lucas Braga, the coach is looking for solutions for the right side. For the sector, he has João Lucas, Júnior Caiçara and Gabriel Inocêncio.

The most likely option is João Lucas. The right-back was chosen to replace Lucas Braga on two occasions in the last eight games. This occurred in the victories over Coritiba (in second half stoppage time) and Flamengo (in the 33rd minute of the final stage).

Caiçara, in turn, comes from three straight games on the bench. The full-back’s last performance was in the 7-1 defeat to Internacional, on October 22. Since Marcelo Fernandes took over, he has only played two games: 10 minutes against Bahia and 45 against Colorado.

Gabriel Inocêncio has not entered the field since September 14th. The player, who is on loan from Água Santa, has lost a lot of space recently and is even struggling to remain as an option on the bench.

Marcelo Fernandes has three training sessions to decide who will be the starter against Cuiabá. The game is scheduled for Monday, at 9 pm (Brasília time), in Vila Belmiro.