The best average attendance in history (26.5 thousand fans per match), almost 10 million tickets sold, as well as excitement from beginning to end. The Brasileirão Assaí 2023 will end this Wednesday (6) in a great celebration of national football.
Starting at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), the 20 teams will take to the field to decide the final classification of the Brazilian football elite. The 38th round will reveal to fans the champion of this year’s edition, as well as those classified for the Libertadores, Sudamericana and those relegated.
Record attendance in history
In addition to the high level demonstrated on the field, the 2023 Série A was also successful off the field. The competition has a historical average of 26,538 payers per game, an unprecedented number for the tournament whose record belongs to the 1983 edition, with 22,953 per game. Before the final round, the national championship brought 9,474,238 paying fans to the stadiums in total, and the statistics should approach ten million fans.
Throughout the year, Flamengo was always ahead in this regard, with 54,190 paying for each duel. With the exception of one game held in Cariacica (ES), all of Rio’s Rubro-Negro matches were attended by more than 40 thousand fans. The team also has the biggest audience of this edition: 64,708 against Santos, at Mané Garrincha, in Brasília (DF).
Another six teams had an average of 30 thousand fans per match: São Paulo (44,199), Corinthians (38,409), Bahia (36,966), Palmeiras (33,198), Fortaleza (32,787) and Grêmio (31,385).
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The title
Leader with 69 points, Palmeiras has a good chance of lifting the title. To become champion, a draw against Cruzeiro is enough for the Alviverde team, which has an advantage of 8 and 15 goals over Atlético-MG and Flamengo, respectively.
Tied at 66 points, the teams depend on a combination of results to guarantee the cup. In the case of Galo, they must beat Bahia away from home and hope that Palmeiras is defeated by Cruzeiro at Mineirão. It would still be necessary to make up for the difference in goal difference. For Flamengo, the scenario is more difficult, as they need the defeats of Palmeiras and Atlético Mineiro, in addition to eliminating the large difference in the balance against São Paulo, at Morumbi.
Respecting the possibilities, the CBF put together a strategy to bring three cups and a set of different medals to the matches of teams that still dream of the Brazilian Championship title.
Libertadores
Palmeiras, Atlético-MG, Flamengo, Grêmio, Botafogo and Red Bull Bragantino form the G-6 and are the teams classified for the 2024 Libertadores. For now, Botafogo and Red Bull Bragantino are guaranteed in the Pre-Libertadores, a knockout stage that precedes the group stage of the competition.
São Paulo and Fluminense won their place in the continental competition with the Copa do Brasil and Libertadores titles, respectively.
Relegation
Santos, Bahia and Vasco are fighting to leave the Z-4 and remain in the top tier of Brazilian football. In 15th place with 43 points, the Santos team guarantees its stay in Series A with a victory against Fortaleza in Vila Belmiro. But, if they draw, they must hope for Bahia and Vasco to stumble. In the worst case scenario for Peixe, a draw or defeat for Bahia or a defeat for Vasco will free the team.
Vasco faces Red Bull Bragantino, in São Januário, needing a victory to guarantee themselves in the next edition. In the event of a draw, the Rio team must count on a draw or a defeat for Bahia against Atlético-MG. If Bahia emerges victorious, the team to dry up will become Santos, who will not be able to overcome Fortaleza.
In 17th place with 41 points, Bahia no longer depends on its own strengths. They need a victory against Atlético-MG and a stumble (defeat or draw) from Santos and Vasco in their games. If Tricolor de Aço draws, they will need Vasco to lose to save themselves.
Top goalscorers
Paulinho (Atlético Mineiro) had a great performance in the final stretch of the Brasileirão and took the lead, with 19 goals. Tiquinho Soares (Botafogo), who dominated much of the competition, scored 17 times. He is followed by Luis Suarez (Grêmio) and Hulk (Atlético Mineiro), who have 15 each.
