Vitória debuted with a draw in the Campeonato Baiano. This Saturday (10), Leão did not come from scratch against Atlético-BA, from Alagoinhas, at Barradão, in Salvador, for the first round of the competition. The match was broadcast live on TV Brasilin partnership with TVE Bahia.
Vitória’s planning for 2026 includes the use of a mixed team in Baianão, with underutilized players and base athletes, under the command of Rodrigo Chagas, assistant to coach Jair Ventura. The main team is preparing for the Brazilian Championship. Leão debuts on January 28th, at home, against Remo.
Among the players selected for the first red-black match of the year, the most experienced was midfielder Dudu Maraíma, who played, this Saturday, the 101st match for Vitória. Revealed at the club, he has not played for the team since 2023. Since then, he has been on loan to Náutico, Portuguesa, CSA, Noroeste and São Bernardo.
On the Atletico side, the most famous name in the squad did not leave the bench. This is striker Walter, 36 years old, who stood out at Internacional, where he was Libertadores champion in 2010, also playing for Porto, in Portugal; Fluminense, Cruzeiro and 19 other clubs. Coach Agnaldo Liz was a defender for Vitória and was part of the group that finished runners-up in the Brasileirão in 1993 – as was Rodrigo Chagas, a full-back on that team.
Atlético, who had nothing to do with Vitória’s strategic option for the State, started taking the initiative and got scared after seven minutes. Striker Higor was thrown by midfielder Miller, behind Kauan, faced the defender’s marking in the area and hit the crossbar.
Leão found himself in the match and responded at 14 with Kauan himself. After a corner from the left taken by midfielder Pablo, the defender headed the ball against the post. Ten minutes later, Pablo received the ball from striker Lawan and shot. The shot exploded from the mark and covered up goalkeeper Patyêgo, but defender Dedé, practically on top of the line, saved the visitors.
NIn the second half, the rhythm of the teams, both at the beginning of the season, dropped significantly, and the chances of goals became rare. At Vitória, the highlight was the addition of full-back Jamerson, who returned to playing after seven months of treatment for torn ligaments in his right ankle, and striker Kike Saverio, an Italian of Ecuadorian and Spanish nationality, revealed in the youth teams of Barcelona, in Spain. In stoppage time, the home team managed to occupy the attacking field, but without success.
There’s more Baianão on TV Brasil
This Sunday (11), whoever debuts in Baianão is the current champion. In another duel broadcast live on TV Brasil, Bahia faces Jequié at Casa de Apostas Arena Fonte Nova, in Salvador, at 4pm (Brasília time). Just like Vitória, Esquadrão de Aço will compete in the State Championship with an alternative team, with the difference that the team will be led by coach Rogério Ceni himself.
This year’s edition is number 122 of the Bahia Championship. The competition brings together ten teams, who play against each other in the first phase. The first four advance to the semifinals, which will be played in a single match, as well as the final. The last two fall to the second division in 2027. Bahia is the biggest winner, with 51 titles. Vitória won the tournament 30 times.
Gabigol scores on his return to Santos
The Campeonato Paulista also started this Saturday. The first of the four main clubs in São Paulo to debut, Santos beat Novorizontino 2-1, coming from behind, at Vila Belmiro. The match marked the debut of striker Gabriel Barbosa, known as Gabigol, who began his third spell at Alvinegro Praiano.
Tigre opened the scoring. In the 25th minute of the first half, Diego Galo received the ball from fellow midfielder Rômulo at the edge of the area on the left and shot under goalkeeper Gabriel Brazão. Peixe equalized at six in the final stage, with Gabigol taking advantage of a leftover shot from midfielder Benjamin Rollheiser and finishing first time. At 43, full-back Igor Vinícius crossed from the right and midfielder Thaciano completed it into the net, guaranteeing the hosts’ triumph in Santos (SP).
In the match that opened the 86th edition of Paulistão, São Bernardo hosted the recently promoted Capivariano and won 4-0. Strikers Echaporã, Felipe Garcia and Pedro Vitor found the net at the Estádio Primeiro de Maio, in São Bernardo do Campo (SP). Last year, the ABC club gained access to Series B of the Brasileirão.
To adapt to the reduction from 16 to 12 dates, the Campeonato Paulista adopted new regulations for 2026. The 16 participants were divided into pots (four in each), according to the classification in the previous edition of the tournament. In the first phase, in addition to facing rivals from the same pot, the clubs face five more opponents decided by draw.
After eight rounds, the top eight will go to the quarterfinals, which will have a single game, as well as the semifinals. The decision will be made in round-trip matches. The last two in the first phase go to Série A2, the second division of Paulistão. Corinthians is the biggest champion, with 31 titles, and won the 2025 edition.
