The new Santos is looking a lot like the old Santos - the one made
famous by Pele in the 1960s.
Led by Robinho and a group of talented youngsters, Santos is
putting on a show nearly every time it gets on the field, just like
it did when Pele was its biggest star.
The latest performance was a 9-1 trashing of Ituano on Sunday
in the traditional Sao Paulo state championship, a competition it
comfortably leads. The entertaining victory came only 10 days after
Santos trounced Naviraiense 10-0 in the first round of the
Brazilian Cup.
"It's getting hard to keep track of all the goals,"
23-year-old Santos midfielder Madson said.
Santos has scored 60 goals in 18 matches so far this season,
an average of 3.3 goals per match. It has won 14 of those games,
drawing twice and losing two.
Other impressive victories this season include a 5-0 result
against Gremio Prudente, a 6-3 win over Bragantino, and a 4-0
thrashing of Remo. Santos won 10 in a row earlier this year.
"It's nice to be able to play like this, always thinking
about attacking, we are not overly concerned with defense right
now," coach Dorival Junior said.
With Pele, Santos was nearly unbeatable in the 1960s. It was
used to routing opponents and easily winning competitions.
The only other time Santos impressed as much was in the early
2000s, when Robinho was a youngster along with Diego - now with
Juventus in Italy - to lead the club to the Brazilian league titles
in 2002 and 2004.
Robinho, now one of the team's oldest players at 26, returned
on a six-month loan from Manchester City, but he is not Santos'
only star.
Eighteen-year-old Neymar - known as the new Robinho - is
attracting just as much attention. Arguably as skillful as his
teammate, Neymar quickly made his way through the Santos youth
teams and was an established starter at 17.
There have been calls - from Pele among others -for him to be
called up to the national team. Pele was 16 when he made his
national team debut.
"These players know they are really good," Pele told local
media recently.
In addition to Robinho and Neymar, there is also 20-year-old
Paulo Henrique Ganso, 19-year-old left back Wesley and 19-year-old
striker Andre, who scored three of Santos' goals against Ituano.
In addition to scoring plenty of goals the young group has
another trademark - choreographed celebrations which have been
pleasing fans and even getting other teams to follow suit.
The victory on Sunday - the biggest in the tournament in 46
years - came despite the absence of Robinho and Neymar. Robinho is
nursing a minor thigh injury and Neymar was suspended after a red
card in the last match.
Ituano played a man down from the 27th minute and had two
other players sent off in the final minutes.
Santos reached 35 points from 15 matches in the Sao Paulo
tournament and has all-but-secured a spot in the semifinals, which
begin next month. It is trying to win the competition for the first
time since back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007. It was runner up
to Corinthians last year.
A Santos team featuring second-stringers fell to the New York
Red Bulls in a friendly Saturday that opened the Red Bull Arena.
Santos putting on Pele-esque show
The new Santos is looking a lot like the old Santos - the one made
famous by Pele in the 1960s.
Led by Robinho and a group of talented youngsters, Santos is
putting on a show nearly every time it gets on the field, just like
it did when Pele was its biggest star.
The latest performance was a 9-1 trashing of Ituano on Sunday
in the traditional Sao Paulo state championship, a competition it
comfortably leads. The entertaining victory came only 10 days after
Santos trounced Naviraiense 10-0 in the first round of the
Brazilian Cup.
"It's getting hard to keep track of all the goals,"
23-year-old Santos midfielder Madson said.
Santos has scored 60 goals in 18 matches so far this season,
an average of 3.3 goals per match. It has won 14 of those games,
drawing twice and losing two.
Other impressive victories this season include a 5-0 result
against Gremio Prudente, a 6-3 win over Bragantino, and a 4-0
thrashing of Remo. Santos won 10 in a row earlier this year.
"It's nice to be able to play like this, always thinking
about attacking, we are not overly concerned with defense right
now," coach Dorival Junior said.
With Pele, Santos was nearly unbeatable in the 1960s. It was
used to routing opponents and easily winning competitions.
The only other time Santos impressed as much was in the early
2000s, when Robinho was a youngster along with Diego - now with
Juventus in Italy - to lead the club to the Brazilian league titles
in 2002 and 2004.
Robinho, now one of the team's oldest players at 26, returned
on a six-month loan from Manchester City, but he is not Santos'
only star.
Eighteen-year-old Neymar - known as the new Robinho - is
attracting just as much attention. Arguably as skillful as his
teammate, Neymar quickly made his way through the Santos youth
teams and was an established starter at 17.
There have been calls - from Pele among others -for him to be
called up to the national team. Pele was 16 when he made his
national team debut.
"These players know they are really good," Pele told local
media recently.
In addition to Robinho and Neymar, there is also 20-year-old
Paulo Henrique Ganso, 19-year-old left back Wesley and 19-year-old
striker Andre, who scored three of Santos' goals against Ituano.
In addition to scoring plenty of goals the young group has
another trademark - choreographed celebrations which have been
pleasing fans and even getting other teams to follow suit.
The victory on Sunday - the biggest in the tournament in 46
years - came despite the absence of Robinho and Neymar. Robinho is
nursing a minor thigh injury and Neymar was suspended after a red
card in the last match.
Ituano played a man down from the 27th minute and had two
other players sent off in the final minutes.
Santos reached 35 points from 15 matches in the Sao Paulo
tournament and has all-but-secured a spot in the semifinals, which
begin next month. It is trying to win the competition for the first
time since back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007. It was runner up
to Corinthians last year.
A Santos team featuring second-stringers fell to the New York
Red Bulls in a friendly Saturday that opened the Red Bull Arena.