Rooster face Bahia and one victory is enough to crown the bi-championship
Atlético have their hands on the cup. After 50 years, the Atletico fans have the chance to see the Brazilian champion team again. Since 1971, the year in which Galo raised until then the only title in the competition, the miners hit the crossbar five times with the vice-championships of 1977, 1980, 1999, 2012 and 2015.
For the bi-championship to be conquered this Thursday (01), Atlético only need to win Bahia. The ball rolls at 6 pm (Brasilia time) at Fonte Nova, in Salvador. The match corresponds to a 32nd round late game. The team led by Cuca has 78 points, eight more than the rival from Rio. Only in the return were 36 points gained, equaling 2020, when Alvinegro had its best campaign in the second half of the tournament with 20 teams.
If on the one hand we have a possible title candidate, on the other we have a team fighting relegation. With just one victory in the last five games, the team is in the relegation zone and needs to win to stay alive in the fight to remain in Serie A. The squad appears in 17th position, with 40 points, two less than Athletico-PR , first team out of the Z-4.
Coach Guto Ferreira will not have left-back Juninho Capixaba, who was sent off against Atlético-GO. The tendency is for Rossi to assume the position of the player, who had been playing in the offensive sector; in defense, Luiz Otávio, who recovered from stitches he took to the head after suffering a shock, may return. The rest of the team must have the base that was being used.
Athletic will have three changes in the starting lineup. Allan, Jair and Diego Costa were suspended from the trip to Salvador. Two substitutes are right: Tchê Tchê and Nacho Fernández. The doubt is between Eduardo Vargas and Alan Franco. If the option is for the Chilean, Zaracho will back off a little, playing closer to Tchê Tchê. If Franco is chosen, Hulk will return to play in shirt 9 function, with Zaracho on the right of the offensive sector.
