Cuca Addresses Neymar's Availability for Palmeiras Match
Santos head coach Cuca has parked the Neymar question for now, insisting no decision has been made on whether the star forward will face Palmeiras on the controversial artificial pitch at Allianz Parque.
Speaking after Santos’ 2-1 Copa Sudamericana win over Macara, Cuca admitted the call will only come after he has assessed the squad and spoken directly with his No. 10.
“I don't have an answer to that yet, but tomorrow when we report back, we'll see how the whole squad is doing,” Cuca told ESPN Brazil. “I'm going to talk to him tomorrow and with the entire squad so we can decide what to do.”
He knows what’s coming. A brutal away test, a rival in form, and a surface his main attraction openly despises.
“The match against Palmeiras is going to be very tough; they are a very good side, and it's impossible to deny they are the favourites,” Cuca said. “But we'll work hard to do our best on Wednesday.”
Neymar vs the turf
The pitch is not a side note here. It’s the story.
Neymar’s reluctance to step onto synthetic grass hardened after an ankle sprain suffered against Atletico Mineiro, an injury that sent him straight to social media with an expletive-laced verdict: “It's proven, synthetic is absolute s***.”
That frustration has not cooled.
In the mixed zone after the win over Macara, Neymar was pushed on whether he would play against Palmeiras on the artificial surface. He refused to be pinned down.
“Man, are you already thinking about that? Calm down, there's a game on Sunday,” he replied. “I don't know [if I'll play on synthetic turf].”
The hesitation matches what he has said before about Allianz Parque.
“Playing at Allianz, for me, is impossible,” Neymar has previously stated. “Playing on a 7-a-side surface is something that bothers any player, regardless of injuries. Morumbi is very good, and I feel better there. I feel good on that pitch.”
So Cuca waits. Santos wait. Palmeiras prepare.
And the decision of one man, and one pitch, hangs over a fixture that could shape far more than just a midweek scoreboard.
