Without winning for five games in the Brazilian Championship, Botafogo will face, this Sunday (4), the best club in the second round of the competition. Packed by five consecutive victories, all without conceding, Fortaleza left the relegation zone behind and could even end the 25th round in the top half of the table. Brasília time), with live transmission of National Radio. The narration is by André Luiz Mendes, with comments by Waldir Luiz, reporting by Maurício Costa and duty by Wagner Gomes.
OVER 52 THOUSAND CONFIRMED FANS! ✅
Sunday we will have a full house to push Laion in search of victory!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! ?#FortalezaEC #Brasileirão pic.twitter.com/GCavXGSck8
— Fortaleza Esporte Clube ? (@FortalezaEC) September 2, 2022
A full house is expected, with more than 52,000 tickets sold in advance. Leão do Pici has 30 points and started the round in 12th position. The good phase of the team coincides, ironically, with the falls in the round of 16 of the Libertadores and in the quarter-finals of the Copa do Brasil. In the nine games after being eliminated in the South American tournament, Ceará obtained two thirds of the points, having made only ten points in the previous 15 games, when they played in the simultaneous competitions.
Glorioso, with three points less, in addition to the recent lack of victories, has won only once in the last ten games, with six defeats and three draws in a row. There were only five goals scored and 12 conceded in the period, and the team passed these seven blank matches on the scoreboard. Alvinegro started the weekend in 14th place, two points ahead of the relegation zone.
The scenario is very different from when the teams faced each other in the first round, in Rio de Janeiro. In May, for the sixth round, Botafogo won 3-1, with goals from side Daniel Borges, midfielder Patrick de Paula and striker Erison – recently traded with Estoril (Portugal). The result at the Nilton Santos stadium, at the time, placed Glorioso in the G4 of the Brasileirão. Fortaleza, who scored with striker Moisés, was in the bottom line.
Sunday is the day to return to the field for the Brasileirão! ? #VamosBOTAFOGO pic.twitter.com/nxJEmhNj88
— Botafogo FR (@Botafogo) September 2, 2022
Forward Valentín Depietri, who is recovering from a strain in the anterior muscle of his right thigh, is the only sure absence in the Tricolor. Defender Bryan Ceballos was released by the medical department after complying with the protocol back on the pitch due to a head injury, remaining at the disposal of coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda. Midfielder Lucas Crispim, who was in transition after treating a muscle discomfort in his thigh, is doubtful.
Fortaleza should go to the field with: Fernando Miguel; Emanuel Brítez, Marcelo Benevenuto and Titi; Juninho Capixaba; Lucas Sasha and Ronald; Romarinho, Moisés and Thiago Galhardo; Robson.
Botafogo may have news in the offensive sector, with the possible debut of Tiquinho Soares. The striker, who arrived at Glorioso from Olympiakos (Greece) with a right leg injury, was integrated into training with the rest of the squad during the week. Alvinegro, however, continues with absences due to injury or in transition, such as Daniel Borges, defender Joel Carli, midfielder Breno, midfielder Kayque and strikers Gustavo Sauer and Matheus Nascimento. The new low is the side Renzo Saravia, suspended for the third yellow card.
The likely lineup of coach Luís Castro will have: Gatito Fernández; Rafael, Adryelson, Víctor Cuesta and Marçal, Tchê Tchê, Eduardo and Lucas Fernandes; Victor Sá, Jeffinho and Júnior Santos (Tiquinho Soares).
