HISTORY
Goalkeeper played an important role in the victory over Atlético-GO
Published on December 9, 2024 at 03:02
Danilo Fernandes was an important player for Bahia against Atlético-GO Credit: Paula Fróes/CORREIO
Bahia’s qualification to the Libertadores after 35 years of absence passed directly through the hands of goalkeeper Danilo Fernandes. One of the most experienced and longest-serving players in the current squad, the 36-year-old got the chance to start against Atlético-GO and did not disappoint.
Replacement for Marcos Felipe, Danilo entered the field only twice in 2024. The first was in February, in the 2×1 victory over Juazeirense, in the Campeonato Baiano. The goalkeeper played a consistent game and looked good when called upon.
After the match, Danilo didn’t hide his emotion and remembered everything he went through at Tricolor. He arrived at the club in 2021, the year of relegation to Series B. He was part of the squad that gained access, was the victim of an attack on the club’s bus, and is now celebrating qualifying for the Libertadores.
“It’s difficult to explain in words, we’ll only get the real idea in a few hours, a few days. When the referee blows the whistle, Fonte Nova will be able to explode again with a Libertadores game. That could be where the fall, not just for me, but for all the fans. We’re back, and when the referee referees the first game in the Libertadores here, it will be something that will excite this club. arrived, but in history, the first club that played in the Libertadores and being able to return after 35 years is a whirlwind of feelings”, began the goalkeeper.
Danilo also valued the work of his teammates and said again that the squad deserves the support of the fans, even when things are not going well.
“I wouldn’t be playing this game if it weren’t for my teammates. They took it upon themselves, there were 38 tough rounds, travel, concentrations, sleepless nights, the game ends, you come back, you get here at five, six o’clock in the morning and you have to train. We paid a high price and were crowned with what we deserved. As it was a return to the Libertadores, it had to be Bahia’s way, painful, emotional, with tears. Just like our access, we have to value what was done. Suffering, From now on it will always be better. We won’t win every game, but come here with a feeling of support. If we stumble along the way, we will turn things around. We walked up to the stadium and we need that affection. Bahia is huge and intense”, he added.
At the end of his contract with the Squadron, Danilo took the opportunity to rally for renewal. “Hello Cadu [Santoro, diretor de futebol do Bahia]Hello Raul [Aguirre, CEO do Bahia]”, joked the goalkeeper.
