Which Santos side is stronger?

Discussion in 'Copa Libertadores / Sudamericana' started by HeartandSoul, Jun 3, 2011.

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Which team is better?

  1. 2003 Santos with Robinho

    0 vote(s)
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  2. 2011 Santos with Neymar

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. HeartandSoul

    HeartandSoul Moderator
    Staff Member

    Jan 25, 2007
    The Garden State
    Club:
    CD Colo Colo
    Nat'l Team:
    Chile
    The 2003 Santos with Robinho that lost to Boca or this year's Santos with Neymar?

    The 2003 Santos team was packed full of young players like Diego, Oliveira, Renato, and Alex.

    Other than Neymar the 2011 side doesn't seem to offer that same level of quality. Ganso who is another up and coming player isn't a factor because he's been absent from any action yet, they still made it to the final as a team. Elano who is a tested veteran has been keeping the midfield together. Maybe 21 year old GK Rafael has a better future in store than 2003's Costa?

    Which team had the better offense? Which side had the better defense? Is Neymar enough and truly Brazil's next great player?
     
  2. Visca...

    Visca... Member

    Sep 13, 2004
    ATL
    Nat'l Team:
    Peru
    I think the 2003 team had a lot more talent. It also had a lot more hype around it and therefore a lot more pressure to win it.

    The final is up for grabs.
     
  3. Century's Best

    Century's Best Member+

    Jul 29, 2003
    USA
    Up for grabs, you mean. ;)

    The 2011 has at least two advantages over the 2003 version: defense/goalkeeping and coaching.

    This Santos has a solid defensive lineup. It did crack under pressure against Cerro, but it held the line for four straight matches in the round of 16 and quarterfinals. Rafael, while only a youth at 21, is proving to be a tough and reliable goalie. If he keeps this up, it's hard not to see him as at the very least the 3rd goalkeeper for Brazil in 2014.

    Muricy Ramalho is far better than Emerson Leão ever was. Emerson Leão is not a bad coach, but Ramalho is probably the best coach in Brazil's league right now. Ramalho won 4 of the last 5 Brazilian league tournaments, and he's finally got a solid chance to break his reputation as a premiership-only winner who has always failed in cup tournaments. I only hope he doesn't hesitate to take Zé Eduardo out early enough in both legs.

    Another reason that I personally think the 2011 Santos is likelier to win the Libertadores as opposed to the 2003 version is that the 2011 Peñarol is not as good as the 2003 Boca Juniors was. The 2003 Santos was very good, but that Boca with Ibarra, Battaglia, Tevez, Schelotto, and goalie Abbondanzieri still at a high level, and coached by Carlos Bianchi, was too solid a squad. I do not disrespect the 2011 Peñarol, but it's decidedly an inferior team; it didn't dominate its opponents the way the 2003 Boca did, although it earned its final berth with guts.

    As for this Santos, it's a pretty good team with a superstar in the making (Neymar), a seasoned veteran (Elano), and a Brazil NT-caliber attacking midfielder (Ganso) who is expected to be back from injury. All in all, this Santos has a very good chance to join SPFC as a three-time Libertadores champion - but, the games do have to be played after all.
     
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  4. Latin Pride

    Latin Pride Member

    Aug 1, 2004
    In your house
    Club:
    Olimpia Asuncion
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--

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