TO SPEND THE CRISIS
Squad takes the field this Saturday (30), at Arena Pantanal
Published on November 30, 2024 at 07:26
Everton Ribeiro is one of Bahia’s hopes to avoid frustration at the end of the year Credit: Letícia Martins/EC Bahia
In the final stretch of the Brazilian Championship, only three games separate Bahia from the glory of winning a place in the Libertadores or the frustration of not achieving the main objective of the year. The first clash will be this Saturday (30), against Cuiabá, at 7:30 pm, at Arena Pantanal, for the 36th round. In a crisis, the Squadron will have the chance to recover and return to the classification zone.
The two teams are going through turbulent phases in Series A. Both have a streak of seven matches without winning, but, while Dourado is already mathematically relegated to Series B, Tricolor dreams of the Libertadores. The Bahian club is in 8th place, with 47 points, one distance from Cruzeiro, 7th and which closes the blockade that will give it a place in the continental competition.
Despite the negative results obtained in past commitments, internally, players and coaching staff maintain hopes of a comeback in the next duels. During the week, midfielder Everton Ribeiro used social media to talk about “fighting to the end”. The choir was reinforced by midfielder Caio Alexandre, another reference in the cast.
“We try to achieve our highest level throughout the season, we end up having fluctuations, but I think it’s about staying focused on what you want and helping your team. Thinking about numbers, performance, providing my teammates, improving my position to help my team. It’s about demanding myself every day, as I have done, and helping my teammates to deliver the best results for the Bahia team.”
Speaking of midfield, Thaciano is one of the tricolor’s doubts for the match. The player felt muscle discomfort during the warm-up against Athletico-PR and was replaced by Cauly. The number 16 underwent treatment during the week and is not guaranteed to be present in the game.
The rest of the team should be the same as in previous rounds. Full-back Gilberto won the dispute with Santiago Arias and remains among the starters. Rafael Ratão, recovered from a muscle injury, could remain as an option on the bench.
In addition to ending the negative sequence, if they manage to overcome Cuiabá, Bahia will achieve an unprecedented feat. The Squadron never beat its rival from the Midwest. So far, the teams have faced each other only five times in official competitions, with three draws and two victories for the green team.
Relegated for the first time in history, Cuiabá is experiencing its farewell to Série A with problems on and off the field. The squad is in arrears with salaries and the board has started to release some players. Loaned by Botafogo, midfielders Lucas Fernandes and Gustavo Sauer no longer play for the team.
Coach Bernardo Franco will also be without midfielder Fillipe Augusto and defender Bruno Alves, suspended for the third yellow card. Striker Derick Lacerda was injured against Juventude and is doubtful.
