THE JAGUAR WANTS MORE
The team’s debut in the competition takes place this Saturday (11), at 4pm, against Vitória
Published on January 9, 2025 at 02:00
Barcelona de Ilhéus goes to its fourth edition of the Bahia Championship Credit: Disclosure/Barcelona de Ilhéus
Despite being new, there is no lack of competence for the second youngest team in the Bahia Championship. After reaching the semi-finals of the competition for the second time in their third participation in the elite of the state, Barcelona de Ilhéus strengthened themselves with the aim of getting a place in the very final of Baianão.
Founded in 2019, Barça was born in one of the cities in Bahia that exudes football. If the history of rival Colo-Colo is already consolidated, Onça emerged wanting to carve out its own space in Bahia. In 2022, it made its debut among the ten best teams in Bahia and reached the semifinals, but it was last season that the team managed to make the year unforgettable.
With five wins, one draw and three defeats, Barcelona gained 16 points and secured third place in the first phase of the tournament. During the first nine games, they managed to use Mário Pessoa’s strength to beat Vitória 2-1, in the third round. The red-black team would even meet Onça again in the semifinals. In the decisive games, Barça was defeated by Leão in both matches.
Finishing Baianão as the third team with the most points resulted in a packed calendar for the Ilhéus club. This season, there are five competitions played by Barcelona: Campeonato Baiano, Copa Governador, Copa do Brasil and Série D, in addition to the Pre-Cup of the Northeast. However, Barça’s participation in the regional competition has already come to an end.
Last Saturday (4), Barcelona faced CSA at the Rei Pelé stadium and was defeated 1-0 by the team from Alagoas. The team coached by Sérgio Araújo still had an opponent sent off at the end, but was unable to equalize the score with numerical superiority.
Hectic market
The highlight is the stay of Sheriff Jaques, who left to compete in Series B with rival Colo-Colo, but returns to the first division. The 26-year-old defender was trained in Bahia’s youth divisions and only had two experiences outside the state, the first at Joinville and the last at Águia de Marabá.
Although Mário Pessoa is the home of the Ilhéus teams, the stadium will initially not be able to host games. The Bahia Football Federation (FBF) calls for changes to the structure of the stadium so that teams from Ilhéus can play their games in the city.
Until the location is released, Jóia da Princesa, in Feira de Santana, would be the club’s home in the competition. However, the new home also did not meet the conditions and Barcelona will send the second round game at Barradão.
Barcelona de Ilhéus’ debut at Baianão takes place this Saturday (11), when the team meets Vitória, at Barradão. The clash, valid for the first round of the state championship, starts at 4pm.
Check out the Barcelona-BA table at Baianão 2025:
1st round – Vitória x Barcelona-BA – 11/01 (Saturday) at 4pm
2nd round – Barcelona-BA x Jequié – 01/15 (Wednesday) at 7:15 pm
3rd round – Juazeirense x Barcelona-BA – 01/18 (Saturday) at 4pm
4th round – Barcelona-BA x Jacobina – (to be defined)
5th round – Barcelona-BA x Atlético-BA – (to be defined)
6th round – Colo-Colo x Barcelona-BA – (to be defined)
7th round – Barcelona-BA x Jacuipense – (to be defined)
8th round – Barcelona-BA x Bahia – (to be defined)
9th round – Porto x Barcelona-BA – (to be defined)
