Brazilian and Libertadores champion in 2024, Botafogo started the 2025 season with defeat. This Saturday (11), playing with an “alternative” team, Glorioso was beaten by Maricá, 2-1, at the Nilton Santos Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, in the match that opened the Campeonato Carioca. The duel was broadcast live on Rádio Nacional.
Zero in the classification, Botafogo returns to the field this Tuesday (14), at 7:30 pm (Brasília time), again at Nilton Santos, to face Portuguesa-RJ, in the second round. On Wednesday (15), Maricá, with three points, will host Boavista at Estádio João Saldanha, at 3:45 pm.
The black and white team went to the field with the under-23 team, which should represent the team in the initial rounds of the State Championship, under the command of Carlos Leiria, under-20 coach. Players who were at the Intercontinental Cup in December will only start pre-season on Tuesday (14). Among the starters, the best-known faces were midfielder Patrick de Paula (who played in the 2024 Brasileirão on loan to Criciúma) and striker Matheus Nascimento, considered the main revelation of the club’s youth categories in recent years.
The fans who celebrated first, however, were Maricá’s. After three minutes, Denílson received the ball from fellow striker Jefferson on the right, behind the marker, invaded the area and crossed the ball with his left leg. Goalkeeper Raul touched the ball, but did not prevent the visitors from opening the scoring and scoring the first goal in the history of Tsunami Metropolitano – as the club that debuts in the Cariocão elite is known.
Six minutes later, after a passing error by Maricá’s defensive system, Mizael had to pull forward Carlos Alberto, just before he entered the area, alone. The defender ended up being sent off. From then on, Botafogo took control of the opponent’s field, but struggled to score a goal. In the best chance of the initial stage, in the 28th minute, Sandro missed the shot, Carlos Alberto disarmed the defender, advanced to the left towards the goal and crossed the ball, for a good save by goalkeeper Dida.
Glorioso maintained its offensive posture, albeit disorganized, after the break, but the one who found the net, despite being outnumbered, was Maricá. In the 17th minute, striker Hugo Borges, who had just replaced midfielder Walber, took a free kick from the edge of the area with precision. The ball even hit the left post before going into the goal.
With two goals ahead, Maricá only worried about defending itself. Botafogo, in an uninspired afternoon, scared the rival goal only in the 36th minute, when Dida made a great intervention in an attempt by Rafael Lobato, launched into the area by midfielder Kauan Lindes.
At 45, fellow striker Yarlen was brought down in the area and, finally, Glorioso reached the first goal, with Patrick de Paula converting the charge. Alvinegro threw everything into the attack, but the draw was not achieved.
