Team
21.11.18
Santos: Continuing to develop whilst looking back on my childhood
The 24 year old Brazilian is one of HSV’s most important players and reminds himself of old times in his new role.
Douglas Santos’ current form resembles that of HSV. The Brazilian provides plenty of stability and leadership in challenges defensively while his acceleration and dribbling also provides opponents with an attacking threat. This was evident in the build-up to Pierre-Michel Lasogga’s winner against 1. FC Köln. Santos learnt his accurate technique on the streets of Joao Pessoa, his home town. “Everyone in Brazil learns in this way,” he chuckles in an interview with HSV.de.
From striker to left-back
The decision to change positions and later become a left-back was one that he had previously been thinking about. “There were simply too many good players in other positions. Under the professional environment of training, I preferred to drop a little deeper and play further wide,” explained Santos with a smile on his face. He added that he played as a striker or attacking midfielder when he was younger. According to Santos, this is why there are so many good full-backs in Brazil. Just like him, Marcelo and Felipe Luis had also played in central positions earlier in their careers. The HSV defender has learnt a lot from Luis. “I know him from the Brazil national team. I’ve been influenced by his vision and composure on the ball. He plays the ball very well in attack and is able to use every small space available on the pitch. As an opponent, you never know what he will do,” compliments Santos.
Santos has also received a lot of praise for his performances so far this season in the 2. Bundesliga. German sports magazine Kicker rank Santos as the fifth best performing player in the league so far this season (average score 2.77). HSV head coach Hannes Wolf has praised Santos as a fantastic full-back who possesses the qualities of a central midfielder. Wolf also revealed that the Brazilian’s strengths were evidently shown in the tactical changes he has deployed. “I am always engaged when I play football. As a result of playing on the flank, I don’t get as much ball possession. However, whenever I am in possession, I have space ahead of me. I can then show off my technique in a better way,” explains Santos.
In Santos‘ 13 Bundesliga 2. Games (only against Fürth was he substituted at half time due to the risk of picking up a second yellow card), he has had ten shots on target, and set his teammates up 38 times. Three of these assists led to goals. In the DFB-Pokal match against Wehen Wiesbaden, Santos was able to make it 3-0 and get on the score sheet himself. Santos visibly enjoys going up to attack: “The child in me comes out. Whenever I get the ball in midfield, I think back and say to myself ‘Hey, I’ve played here before.”
Lessons learnt from the tough pace of Italian football
Santos learnt his excellent technique, like many of his fellow countrymen, from playing on the streets when he was younger. It was in Italy, however, that he learnt his trade as a true defender. “I learnt the most playing at my first European club, Udinese. Italian football is very strongly influenced by tactics. As a result, the young players had to do an extra training session every day. We did a lot of ball retention exercises, and we practiced crosses and tackling”, says Santos. The tougher pace of European football was probably the biggest thing to get used to, reveals the Brazilian, and he has had to get used to the different play style of the Bundesliga 2. this season: “There are more long balls and a lot more tackles.”
Santos’ good balance between defensive strength and attacking quality make him a pillar of the team, and in his third year at the club, he reveals that he’s integrated more and more into the team: “We Brazilians always like doing everything together, like eating and drinking coffee. This year we’ve done the same as a team, doing a lot of things together. That’s crucial for us, and we’ve brought this cohesion with us onto the pitch.”
Santos is still in close contact with Walace, despite his fellow countryman moving to Hannover 96. “I’m actually the godfather of his child,” reveals the HSV player. “I’m always calling him and asking how my godchild is getting on.” And who knows, perhaps Santos will persuade his godchild to one day become a defender, like he has done so successfully, despite his Brazilian footballing wizardry.