With a new attack established, Thaciano could lose his starting position at Bahia

A dispute is open in Bahia. Absolute starters for a good part of the season, Jean Lucas and Thaciano were absent from the Squadron in the last rounds of the Brasileirão and, now, they may have to fight for a position in the team for the duel against Palmeiras, next Wednesday, at 6pm, on New Source.

The mystery surrounding the players’ lineup has an explanation. Despite being a midfielder by origin, Thaciano was fixed in attack by Rogério Ceni in the current season. In most of the games, the number 16 partnered with Everaldo. However, in the club’s last two matches in Serie A, Ceni changed the attack and promoted the duo Lucho Rodríguez and Ademir to starting status.

Naturally, the change would place Thaciano on the bench, but, against São Paulo, the athlete ended up being moved back to midfield and filled the role of Jean Lucas, who was suspended. In the following clash, against Juventude, it was Thaciano himself who was suspended, and Jean Lucas ended up returning to the team.

Thus, against Palmeiras, it will be the first time that Rogério Ceni will have both players available after changing the attack. The number 16, in fact, has been used more in midfield in recent games. In the 1-1 draw with Cruzeiro, he played in his original position due to the absence of Caio Alexandre. Biel formed the attack with Everaldo.

Thaciano has also faced criticism. Despite experiencing his highest scoring year in his career and being Bahia’s top scorer this season, with 14 goals, the player is going through the biggest drought in 2024 and has not found the net in 11 matches. The last time he scored was in the 2-0 victory over Grêmio in August.

By the way, once again, time is being an ally for Rogério Ceni. Due to the break in the Brasileirão during the Brazilian team’s games at Data-Fifa, the tricolor gained a nine-day break until the clash with Palmeiras. However, the group preparing at CT Evaristo de Macedo is missing.

In a good phase with the tricolor, Lucho Rodríguez was called up again by Marcelo Bielsa for Uruguay’s games in the World Cup qualifiers. The striker will even be at Fonte Nova to face Brazil, on Tuesday, at 9:45 pm. As he will already be in Salvador and is not usually a starter at Celeste, he should not be a problem at Bahia for the duel with Palmeiras. Therefore, if Lucho is available, the tendency is for Thaciano to remain on the bench and Jean Lucas to resume his position in midfield.

“Winning the next game. Beating a great team like Palmeiras will relieve us and give a little more confidence to our fans, who are a very beautiful fan base. It’s about playing well again, with the beautiful football that we showed for Brazil. That’s what’s needed to regain trust. Wednesday will be a very important game”, he said.

Speaking of changes, Rogério Ceni will be forced to change Bahia in other sectors. Defender Kanu received his third yellow card and is suspended. Gabriel Xavier, who returns from suspension, should form the defense duo with David Duarte, who was a starter in the last round. Vitor Hugo and Cuesta are also in the running.

On the right flank, Santiago Arias will be low. He was called up by Colombia for the qualifiers. But, unlike Luciano Rodríguez, he will play in Barranquilla on the eve of the duel against Palmeiras and is unlikely to return to Brazil in time to reinforce the Bahian team. Gilberto will assume the position.