Novorizontino's weaknesses exposed in 2-1 defeat at Vila Belmiro

Santos turned a first-round Campeonato Paulista fixture into a sharp pre-season test for Novorizontino, coming from behind to win 2-1 at Vila Belmiro. Diego Galo put the visiting side ahead in the first half, but Santos equalized early in the second through Gabigol and secured the victory with a late Thaciano strike. The result and the match dynamics give a clear snapshot of where Novorizontino stand as they head into the 2026 Serie B campaign.

Novorizontino were the better side in the opening 45 minutes, creating the clearest chances and unsettling Santos with movement and forward intent. The goal by Diego Galo rewarded that early dominance and suggested the squad’s attack has shape and promise coming out of pre-season work. Those offensive moments are the practical upside for fans tracking the club’s transition from state competition to the national second division.

The panorama shifted after the break, when Santos made substitutions that altered the match flow. Gabigol’s entry provided immediate impact, leveling the score and forcing Novorizontino to chase the match. The late winner from Thaciano highlighted a recurring concern: Novorizontino’s ability to close out games and withstand pressure late on. That vulnerability is the headline takeaway for a team that will face tight schedules and more experienced finishers in Serie B.

Match documentation includes full lineups, refereeing details and a complete log of substitutions, confirming the rotation both sides are experimenting with during this calendar phase. For Novorizontino the substitutions used and the timing of the reactions will be important data points for coaching staff as they balance fitness, tactical adjustments and roster depth ahead of the national season.

For the community following Serie B, the game matters because it exposed areas requiring urgent attention. Novorizontino showed they can create and convert opportunities, but defensive concentration and late-game game management need reinforcement. Expect the club to prioritize conditioning and possibly tactical tweaks in the coming weeks, especially when state fixtures pile up against pre-season targets.

What comes next is straightforward: use the Paulista matches as working sessions. Fans should watch how Novorizontino respond in upcoming state games, whether set-piece organization improves and how the squad handles substitutions under pressure. Those developments will signal whether the club can translate first-half promise into consistent results when the Serie B grind begins.