ECBAHIA
Biel celebrates his return to the team after two months and reveals anxiety before the match: ‘I found out the day before’
Striker is reinforcement for the tricolor in the final stretch of the Brasileirão
Published on October 20, 2024 at 3:09 pm
Striker Biel in action against Cruzeiro, at Mineirão Credit: Rafael Rodrigues/EC Bahia
After two months away from the field, striker Biel returned to the field for Bahia. The number 11 was a starter in the 1-1 draw with Cruzeiro, last Saturday, at Mineirão, and left a good impression. He had not played since August 11th, in the 2-0 derby win against Vitória, when he suffered a back injury.
After the game in Belo Horizonte, Biel celebrated his return to the team and says he hopes to contribute to the team in the final stretch of the Brasileirão. The Squadron has just eight more games until the end of the season to try to confirm a place in next year’s Copa Libertadores.
“I’m happy to be back. He could have started on the bench, after not playing for a long time. I’m happy with Professor Rogério’s choice [Ceni]for the trust you place in me. I think I had a great game, but I still have some things to improve. But it was two months away, it’s difficult. Now it’s time to continue,” said the player.
Asked about starting against Cruzeiro, Biel said he only found out the day before the match that he would start playing. He says that he had to deal with anxiety, and that he received words of comfort and confidence from Rogério Ceni.
“We had a conversation the day before the game. I found out that I could only play 30 minutes. I told Rogério: ‘If I can play 30 minutes, you can tell me I’ll give my best’. Then he told me that I could start. I was anxious, but I think I played a great game. I played more than expected. Could have left at halftime. I was happy with my return”, added Biel.
Despite oscillating between the bench and the starting lineup during the season, the numbers show Biel’s importance for the tricolor team. The striker is the team’s assist leader, with 11 passes to his teammates. Cauly and Everton Ribeiro, both nine, appear next. In the 43 games he played in 2024, the striker also scored five goals.
Against Cruzeiro, Biel replaced the suspended Caio Alexandre, and saw Thaciano, the Bahian club’s top scorer this season, with 14 goals, being moved back to midfield. Coach Rogério Ceni approved the performance of both men and praised the attacker.
“The Department of Performance and Health recommended 30 minutes, but I thought I could risk 45. And I took the risk on the first [tempo] because the final additions are long. He [Biel] He had a good first half, had some good moves, and suffered a little during the recovery. Afterwards, he got tired”, said Ceni.
Fully recovered from his back injury, Biel now wants to be one of Bahia’s weapons in the final stretch of the Brasileirão. The point gained in the direct confrontation with Cruzeiro was important, but the team once again left the classification zone for the Libertadores, as Internacional won the classic against Grêmio.
The Squadron is currently in 7th place, with 46 points, while Colorado occupies a position above, with 49. The Bahian team’s next match in Series A will be against Vasco, on Monday (28), in São Januário, in Rio. of January.
“It’s going to be a very strong fight, there are eight very difficult decisions now, but we need to work on our confidence to play well both at home and away”, said Biel.
