Santos FC Secures First Brasileirão Victory Under Interim Coach César Sampaio
SANTOS, Brazil (Archyde.com) — Santos FC notched their first victory of the 2025 Brasileirão season with a 2-0 win against atlético Mineiro at Vila Belmiro on Wednesday. The match marked the debut of César Sampaio as interim coach, stepping in after the dismissal of Pedro Cabeo earlier in the week.
Sampaio, a former Brazilian international midfielder, expressed his elation at taking the reins, stating he already feels like a “real coach.” He emphasized the meaning of the opportunity Santos FC has given him, calling it the fulfillment of a personal dream and reinforcing his commitment to the club nonetheless of his official role.”I am already [a real coach]!” sampaio exclaimed during the post-match press conference. “This club gave vent to my dreams. I had a lot of responsibility, dreams. And Santos gave me what I didn’t even imagine. I told the athletes that tomorrow does not exist. No one can certify you anything. I will live today 100%, I asked athletes to live today. Life is a gift from God Himself. Even in the form of gratitude to what Santos provided me, while I am vital, I will help regardless of office, department, sector. Let’s live day by day.”
Analyzing the victory,Sampaio highlighted the team’s altered approach in the absence of star player Neymar,currently sidelined with an injury.He explained the strategic adjustments made, acknowledging they diverged from his preferred style of play but were necessary to adapt to the circumstances.
“until then what we planned was happening. Without Ney, we lost some of the quality in our creation,” Sampaio explained.”We put the roll with a feature close to Neymar, but we couldn’t sustain, approach tiquinho to have superiority in midfield. We were dependent on individual barreal plays and Guilherme. Connections. This competition is very the same, watching any game you will see. The our backs make a goal weigh a lot.”
Sampaio also became emotional when discussing the crucial role of the Santos FC fans in securing the victory. He emphasized the galvanizing effect of their support, especially in moments of fatigue and pressure, attributing the win to a collective effort and a higher purpose.
“The fan sometimes does not even realize the strength they have. Emotionally, physically, destroyed… When he heard a scream, a word of incentive in an assertive bid, this renews the loads. The fan was very important. It was God who put me here. While I am going to do my best, I took the U20 Axel, all very important. Neymar was very important. Legal strategy, embraced the cause, fans were critically important.”
Looking ahead, Santos FC faces a challenging clássico against São Paulo FC on Sunday at Morumbis Stadium. Sampaio will be looking to build on this first victory and solidify his position as a potential long-term solution for the club.
Given the impact of the fans and the collective effort on display, do you see this victory as a turning point in the season?
Archyde Interview: César sampaio on Santos FC’s Brasileirão Victory & Future
Archyde.com – Fresh off Santos FC’s thrilling 2-0 victory against atlético Mineiro in the Brasileirão, Archyde News Editor, Evelyn Rossi, sat down with Interim Coach César Sampaio to dissect the match, the team’s approach, and his vision for the future. Here’s the exclusive interview.
Evelyn Rossi: Welcome, César! Congratulations on your first win as interim coach. The atmosphere at vila Belmiro must have been electric. How did it feel to finally get that initial victory under your belt?
César Sampaio: Thank you, Evelyn! It was an incredible feeling. more than the result itself,it was the spirit of the team and the support from the fans that truly moved me. To be honest, it still feels surreal. This club, Santos, has such a rich history, and to be a part of it, even in this interim role, is a dream come true.
Evelyn Rossi: You mentioned the fans. They played a crucial role, didn’t they? Can you elaborate on the impact they had on the team during the match?
César Sampaio: Absolutely. The fans are the heart and soul of any team, especially here at Santos.There were moments of fatigue, moments of pressure, but every cheer, every chant from the stands, revitalized the players. They are the 12th man,there’s no doubt whatsoever about it. Their support is a constant reminder of what we are fighting for.
Evelyn Rossi: Without Neymar in the lineup, the team had to adjust its strategy. What were the key tactical changes you implemented, and how did the players adapt?
César Sampaio: It was a strategic shift, yes. Without Neymar’s creativity, we had to focus on a more structured approach. we worked on consolidating the midfield, creating opportunities, and relying on individual brilliance from players like Barreal and Guilherme. It wasn’t my preferred style initially, but given the circumstances, it was a necessary adaptation. We needed to be adaptable. It was a collective effort.
Evelyn Rossi: you were visibly emotional during the post-match press conference. What fueled that emotion, and what does this possibility mean to you personally and professionally?
César Sampaio: This club gave vent to my dreams. I had a lot of responsibility, dreams. And santos gave me what I didn’t even imagine. I told the athletes that tomorrow does not exist. No one can certify you anything. I will live today 100%, I asked athletes to live today. Life is a gift from God Himself. Even in the form of gratitude to what Santos provided me, while I am vital, I will help regardless of office, department, sector.”
Evelyn Rossi: Looking ahead, Santos faces a difficult clássico against São Paulo. How are you planning to approach that match, and what lessons did you take away from the win against Atlético Mineiro?
César Sampaio: The victory gave us confidence, a boost in morale. But the clássico will be a different challenge. We will analyze the game, prepare, and put our best foot forward. We will aim to consolidate our previous approach and adapt to our rival’s strengths while attempting to exploit their weaknesses. We’ll go into this game with a focused strategy and will seek to make our fans proud.
Evelyn Rossi: Given the impact of the fans and the collective effort on display, do you see this victory as a turning point in the season?
César Sampaio: I hope so. It can be. It’s a step in the right direction, providing a positive foundation and more stability. We need to build on this, maintain the discipline, and keep fighting for every point. The season is long, and there will be ups and downs, but we will strive to rise to the challenge ahead. We will do so with the spirit we showed on the day before.”
Evelyn Rossi: A critical question here: Do you think that the club management can find a more permanent solution for your leadership role regarding the recent results?
César Sampaio: This isn’t for me to comment on, but it is nice to hear such words from you. My place is on the bench, and my priority is winning.The rest of the question is something to be decided by those that have those tasks or roles. Any official information will be provided regarding that matter,or not.
Evelyn Rossi: Thank you, César, for your time and your insights. We wish you and Santos FC all the best in the upcoming games!
César Sampaio: Thank you, Evelyn! The pleasure was all mine.