How the FIFA break could give Vojvoda a flying start at Santos | OneFootball

The Fifa break is approaching and, with it, coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda will gain an advantage to implement the characteristics of his work at Santos. Amid the commitments of national teams, the coach will have about 11 days of preparation during this period.

The only absence for Santos during the Fifa break training sessions will be midfielder Tomás Rincón. The player was called up by the Venezuelan national team for matches against Argentina, away, and Colombia, at home in Venezuela. The first game takes place this Thursday, while the second is scheduled for Tuesday (09).

The Santos squad will return to training this Wednesday to begin preparations during the Fifa break. Vojvoda can use this period to continue implementing his work philosophy and get to know the new signings, as well as help injured players recover and boost the confidence of those who are struggling.

Time to implement philosophy and get to know new signings

Vojvoda will have his longest period to prepare the team since arriving at Santos. The Argentine coach will be able to use the training sessions to conduct new tests and consider tactical and strategic changes, already with an eye on the match against Atlético-MG, valid for the 23rd round of the Brazilian Championship.

Beyond that, the coach is also looking to get to know and better understand the characteristics of the players available in the Santos squad. Vojvoda, for example, is trying to find a way to get the best out of all his players, whether they are starters or substitutes.

The coach is still awaiting the arrival of the three reinforcements that Santos promised him and has already lined up. They are: defender Adonis Frías, on a permanent deal; midfielder Victor Hugo and striker Lautaro Díaz, both on loan until mid-2026.

“Yes, [the Fifa break] will be useful. I will use this period to train, continue getting to know the players, and perhaps have the chance to meet two or three new players who will arrive in this window, which closes on Tuesday. It is always important to have time with the players. We will use it mainly to prepare for the match in Belo Horizonte,” Vojvoda said in a press conference last Sunday.

Recovering injured players

The Fifa break will also be important for Santos to recover two important players in their squad: João Basso and Willian Arão. The defender and the midfielder are currently with the medical department and do not yet have a return date, but may speed up their recovery in the absence of matches.

João Basso was diagnosed with a left thigh adductor muscle injury on July 31 and completed one month away from the pitch last Sunday. The defender is in the physical transition process and has even run on the field in recent team activities.

Willian Arão, meanwhile, has a right calf injury, announced by the club on July 25. The midfielder had made progress in his recovery, but felt pain again. He is also in transition, but his situation is more uncertain than Basso’s.

João Basso in Santos training last Saturday (Photo: Raul Baretta/ Santos FC)

Boosting players’ confidence

Vojvoda can also use the Fifa break to help some players regain their confidence. One example to follow is Zé Ivaldo, who returned to play after a month out. The defender was given a starting opportunity against Fluminense and had a solid performance.

Other players can now be worked on by Vojvoda and are aiming for a new lease on life under the coach. These include Tiquinho Soares, Thaciano, JP Chermont, and Deivid Washington. The Argentine was even asked about the importance of psychological strength in football.

“The psychological aspect is an important part of football. Many times, you go to a psychologist and solve the problem. The best psychologist there is, is a good result. I think that’s the best psychologist there is, even for the coach himself. Among all the aspects in football—technical, tactical, physical—there are, of course, the players who are mentally strong in difficult moments,” he said.

Santos’ situation in the Brazilian Championship

Upcoming Santos matches

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.