Bahia are striving to become a new powerhouse in Brazil through the financial strength of the City Group. However, they have only faced disappointments so far. The latest setback was a home elimination in the semifinal of the Copa do Nordeste against Clube de Regatas Brasil (CRB), a team currently mid-table in the second division.
The match at the Fonte Nova stadium ended goalless and was decided by a penalty shootout. Caio Alexandre, one of the stellar signings for this season, missed his penalty, allowing CRB from Maceió advance to the final against Fortaleza in June.
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Earlier in April, Rogério Ceni’s men narrowly missed out on a title, losing to lifelong rivals Vitória in the Campeonato Baiano final. They are still in the running in the Copa do Brasil (having recently eliminated Criciúma) and share the leadership of the Brasileirão with Athlético Paranaense, with only six rounds played.
A final da #CopaDoNordesteBetnacional está definida. Tricolores contra Alvirrubros! Leão do Pici contra o Galo da Praia.
Senhoras e senhores, se preparem! Final inédita na Lampions. 🚀🏆 pic.twitter.com/65PA62aNn3
— Copa do Nordeste (@CopaNordesteCBF) May 26, 2024
Acquired by the City Group just over a year ago, the club held its preseason at Manchester City’s state-of-the-art facility in England and added several notable players. In addition to Caio Alexandre, they landed Éverton Ribeiro, Colombians Santiago Arias and Óscar Estupiñán, Argentine Víctor Cuesta, and Jean Lucas, among other big names.
Ceni addresses more signings for Bahia
When asked if more players would be added in the next transfer window, Ceni made it clear no new faces are expected at the club: “From what I understand so far, there will be no more signings. There is no plan to spend more money, contrary to what everyone thinks… It is a long-term project. It won’t be millions and millions as people say.”
After three consecutive victories in Série A, Bahia will put that streak on the line when they visit Atlético Mineiro on April 2. This challenging match will help the team determine whether they are ready to compete at the top of the Brasileirão or if the “long-term project,” as Ceni mentioned, needs more time.
Remembering Zagallo
Sambafoot Series launched a new documentary about the football legend Zagallo. Known as ‘Velho Lobo‘ and as superstitious as it gets, Zagallo helped shape what Brazilian football is nowadays — as a player and as a coach.
Watch the full series, available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel.
