Unstable sector during the season, goals are a problem for Bahia in the final stretch of the Brasileirão

Bahia’s final game of the season will also be the club’s most important match in recent years. This Sunday (8), against Atlético-GO, at Fonte Nova, the tricolor will enter the field with an eye on a place in the Copa Libertadores. But, before facing Dragão, coach Rogério Ceni will have to solve a problem that has been causing a headache: the goal.

In the final stretch of Série A, the Squadron’s “1 shirt” goes through a moment of instability and changes hands. Absolute starter for much of the year, Marcos Felipe was never unanimous among fans and became the target of criticism after some mistakes that were directly responsible for the team’s defeats, mainly in the second round of the Brazilian Championship.

Due to his mistakes, Marcos lost his place in the starting lineup and saw reserve Adriel take over in the clashes against Palmeiras, Athletico-PR and Cuiabá. The 23-year-old goalkeeper, who is at the Bahian club on loan from Grêmio, seemed to have been chosen to defend the team in the last games of Series A, but he also made mistakes and was criticized.

With the fluctuation between the players, Rogério Ceni once again gave Marcos Felipe a chance during the defeat to Corinthians, in the penultimate round, but the goalkeeper suffered a concussion in a dispute with Yuri Alberto in the opening minutes, he was replaced by Adriel and did not will face Atlético-GO.

“Marcos Felipe gets a blow to the head when he falls. I also saw him with a sling on his shoulder, he fell awkwardly. So his participation in the last game is practically ruled out”, explained Ceni. According to the concussion protocol, it is necessary to respect the minimum period of five days to return to perform in CBF competitions. Therefore, he is out of the coach’s options for the final round.

Without Marcos Felipe, the tendency is for Adriel to remain among the starters. Rogério Ceni, however, preferred not to make the lineup. Shortly after the game against Corinthians, at the Neo Química Arena, in São Paulo, the coach was asked about the mistakes made by the goalkeeper, but he didn’t talk and didn’t want to point out individual moves.

“I’m not going to comment on an isolated move. I think everything is easier in slow motion. I think he did his best as much as possible. He’s been working, he’s been professional. Marcos Felipe did very well last year, I thought it was time to bring him back. Unfortunately, the imponderable happens in football. The team didn’t lose because of Adriel, let’s be honest”, added Ceni.

If you prefer to change the goal once again, Rogério Ceni also has the options of Danilo Fernandes and young Gabriel. Unlike Marcos Felipe and Adriel, who took turns in the starting team during the Copa do Nordeste and Campeonato Baiano, Danilo has fewer minutes on the field this season.

That year, the experienced 36-year-old goalkeeper was selected by the coach just once, in the 2-1 victory over Juazeirense, on February 25, in the Campeonato Baiano. Long downtime can count against the player.

By the way, whether or not he is chosen to face Atlético-GO, Danilo may be living his last moments in Bahia. The archer only has a contract until the end of this year, and the Squadron has not yet signaled a continuation. Danilo Fernandes has been at the club since 2021 and, last year, he also played just one match.

The other option for Rogério Ceni is the young Gabriel Souza. Trained in the youth teams, he is considered a gem and in recent years has been on loan to Portimonense, in Portugal. Gabriel returned to Tricolor during the second semester transfer window, but since then he has not received a chance in the main team.