LEFT TO THE LAST ROUND
The São Paulo team won the best direct confrontation and secured a place in the international tournament
Published on December 3, 2024 at 10:02 pm
Squadron did not play well and was defeated by Corinthians, at Neo Química Arena Credit: Rafael Rodrigues/EC Bahia
The tricolors who dream of seeing Bahia in the Libertadores will have to wait until the last round of the Brasileirão for a new chance to achieve their goal. The tricolor had the opportunity to secure a place in the international tournament this Tuesday (3), in a direct confrontation with Corinthians, but made mistakes and was defeated 3×0, at the Neo Química Arena, in São Paulo, in the penultimate round of the Series THE.
Rogério Ceni tried to populate the midfield to involve Corinthians, but the team made mistakes in defense and in the first half Memphis Depay and Yuri Alberto opened up the advantage for the home team. In the second stage, the Dutchman scored one more and closed the account.
The Squadron was playing for a victory to guarantee itself in the Liberta, but the defeat prevented early classification. The tricolor fell to 8th place, with 50 points. The Bahian team will now have to beat Cruzeiro, who faces Palmeiras this Wednesday (4), so as not to leave the classification zone. If the Minas Gerais team doesn’t win, Bahia will reach the last round, against the already relegated Atlético-GO, in Fonte Nova, depending on their own strength to take the place.
Corinthians, who played much of the Brasileirão at the bottom of the table, reached 53 points and qualified for the Copa Libertadores.
Rogério Ceni surprised the lineup and promoted the return of goalkeeper Marcos Felipe in place of Adriel. The coach also selected Arias, Acevedo and Thaciano among the starters. Gilberto, Jean Lucas and Ademir went to the bank.
With a more populated midfield and without many speed options, Bahia started the duel working the ball to try to involve Corinthians. The tricolor had more possession, but did not find the spaces to attack. Meanwhile, Corinthians waited for a mistake from the Squadron. It didn’t take long and the error happened.
Despite the goal, Bahia did not change their playing stance. The tricolor even left everything the same in the 16th minute, with Lucho Rodríguez, but the referee found the Uruguayan offside and the goal was disallowed.
Rogério Ceni had to change the team in the first half. Marcos Felipe got the worst of a clash with Yuri Alberto and was replaced by Adriel.
From the middle to the final stretch of the first stage, the game gained intensity. Bahia started to attack more, but still failed in the last pass that would leave the men in front in a good position to finish. The Squadron also suffered from the opponent’s advances, but managed to hold on.
When the ball was crossed into the area, Arias received a free kick and sent a bomb. Gustavo Henrique used his head to block and avoid the draw. The black and white player responded when Garro paid attention to Adriel, but the ball went out.
The tricolor played a good game, but failed again and was punished. Caio Alexandre lost the ball in midfield, Gabriel Xavier didn’t follow Yuri Alberto, who invaded the area and counted on Adriel’s error in passing the ball to score Corinthians’ second, in the 48th minute.
Faced with the adverse scenario, Bahia returned from the break with Jean Lucas replacing Thaciano and Ademir replacing Arias, but it was Corinthians who were more offensive. The third goal almost came after Gabriel Xavier’s hesitation. The ball fell to Garro’s feet inside the area. Kanu got a providential court.
Corinthians’ pressure was once again effective. At 15 minutes, Depay took a free kick and hit a bomb with no chance for Adriel: 3×0.
The atmosphere heated up after Corinthians’ third goal, with a lot of discussion between the athletes and technical committees of both teams. When the game returned, Bahia was unable to react. Corinthians were closest to the fourth goal.
Depay sent a great shot and Adriel saved it. Then it was Romero who had the chance and sent it out. The Paraguayan had another good chance and tried to cover Adriel, but again missed the target.
Without the strength to provoke a reaction, Bahia spent the rest of the game practically defending itself to avoid a greater embarrassment. With the duel over, the team waited for the final whistle to regret the defeat away from home.
Corinthians 3×0 Bahia – Brazilian Championship (37th round)
Corinthians: Hugo Souza, Matheuzinho, Gustavo Henrique, André Ramalho and Matheus Bidu; Raniele (Martínez), Breno Bidon (Igor Coronado), Carrillo (Alex Santana) and Rodrigo Garro (Talles Magno); Memphis Depay and Yuri Alberto (Angel Romero). Technical: Ramon Diaz.
Bahia: Marcos Felipe (Adriel), Arias (Ademir), Gabriel Xavier, Kanu and Luciano Juba; Acevedo, Caio Alexandre (Biel), Everton Ribeiro (Gilberto), Cauly and Thaciano (Jean Lucas); Lucho Rodríguez (Everaldo). Technical: Rogério Ceni.
Local: Neo Química Arena
Goals: Memphis Depay, 11 minutes into the 1st half and 15 minutes into the 2nd, Yuri Alberto, 48 minutes into the 1st half
Yellow card: Gustavo Henrique and Raniele; Gabriel Xavier, Acevedo, Jean Lucas, Lucho Rodríguez (Bahia)
Public: 45,925 payers
Arbitration: Bruno Arleu de Araújo (RJ), assisted by Rodrigo Figueiredo Henrique Corrêa (RJ) and Maíra Mastella Moreira (RS).
