The Copa Sul-Americana playoff has forced Santos to change its preseason plans in Portugal, reducing its time in Europe. The first match against Universidad Central (VEN) in the Copa Sul-Americana will be played on July 21, at the same time as the 19th round of the Campeonato Brasileiro. As a result, there is a possibility that the CBF will advance the match between Botafogo and Santos, initially scheduled for July 22 or 23, to July 18. The club had planned to stay in Portugal until July 17. However, the chance of advancing the Brasileirão match made Santos change its schedule, with the team arriving in Portugal on July 5 and returning to Brazil shortly after a friendly match scheduled for July 12. As a result, Santos will play two friendlies instead of the three previously planned. The first match will be played on July 8, without a defined opponent. On July 12, the opponent will be Vitória de Guimarães, at the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques, a match already announced by the club. The friendly match scheduled against Santa Clara, which finished 13th in the last Portuguese championship, was canceled. Santos will stay in Guimarães, which is 30 minutes from Porto. In the club's view, this choice will facilitate the return logistics, as it is close to the airport. The preseason is seen positively by coach Cuca, who believes he can make important tests, in addition to returning to the second half of the year with a higher game rhythm. The coach also hopes to already have reinforcements for the friendlies in Portugal.