Part 3/4:
Throughout the first half, Santos displayed a significant offensive strategy, particularly with their set pieces. Despite their aggressive approach, including high pressing and utilizing players like Sote, Santos struggled to find a rhythm in their ground-play passing. The reliance on crosses and set plays was evident, with Guilherme delivering quality balls into the area that kept Muralha on alert.
The effectiveness of Santos’ set-pieces created opportunities that could have easily changed the dynamics of the match. Every single corner and free kick posed threats, showcasing their tactical preparation and execution, albeit the execution on the ground remained a work in progress.