Correio newspaper | Players from the bench return to resolve issues in Bahia and Ceni opens up the possibility of changing the team: ‘Analyze what is best’

Coach does not rule out changes in attack for the game against Vasco

Once again in the 2024 season, Bahia once again showed the strength of its bench. Against Cruzeiro, last Friday, at Mineirão, Ademir and Luciano Rodríguez entered the second half and helped the tricolor to a 1-1 draw. Given the starvation of the starting attack, substitutes begin to ask for passage into the team.

In Ademir’s case, the player is experiencing the most successful year of his career. With the pass for Lucho’s goal against Cruzeiro, Fumacinha reached six assists this season. Until then, the biggest mark had been achieved in 2021, when he defended América-MG and made five passes to his teammates.

Ademir, in fact, has been a luxury reserve for the Squadron. In addition to the six assists, he scored four goals with the tricolor shirt. After the game at Mineirão, Rogério Ceni was asked if the attacker has a chance of gaining an opportunity in the starting team and stated that all athletes are in contention.

“Of course you have a chance to be a starter, everyone does. They work every day. We have an adaptable game model depending on the options. We got two good options, Nico [Acevedo] and Biel. Ademir started well, made good plays. Specific characteristics, speed and amplitude, of passing and crossing the goal. We always analyze during the week. We make some options regarding height, marking, but we always analyze”, explained the coach.

Ademir’s situation is similar to Biel’s. The number 11 alternated between the bench and the starting line-up for much of the year, but once again gained a chance in the team after being sidelined for two months due to a back injury. Biel is Bahia’s leader in assists, with 11 passes, and has already scored five goals.

With the return of Caio Alexandre, who was suspended in the last round, the tendency is for Biel to leave the team so that Thaciano can be used again in the attack against Vasco, next Monday, in São Januário. Rogério Ceni, however, left open the possibility of fielding a different team.

“It’s difficult to find a place for everyone. We’re going to work all week, and Biel will, in theory, have better physical condition. Let’s analyze it, see how it looks better against Vasco, but it’s possible even Biel and Ademir. Analyze the opponent, difficult game away against Vasco. Putting everyone on speed in the first half, you don’t have those transition players towards the end. Analyze what is best for the game”, he stated.

The fight for a place in the attack also includes Luciano Rodríguez. Against Cruzeiro, the Uruguayan scored his third goal for Bahia, all coming off the bench. Since arriving at the Squadron, he has started just once, in the 1-0 defeat to Fluminense, at Maracanã.

While the guys on the bench have been showing their service, Bahia’s starting attackers are going through a dry spell. The team’s top scorer this year, with 14 goals, Thaciano hasn’t found the net in eight games. The last time was in the 2-0 victory over Grêmio, on August 17th, when he scored both goals.

Everaldo completed his third match against Cruzeiro without scoring. The center forward still remains Tricolor’s top scorer in the Brasileirão, with eight goals.

Once again, time will be Rogério Ceni’s ally in the search for the best strategy to win again away from home. The team will have eight days of preparation until the clash with Vasco.