Atlético Mineiro is gearing up for its return to competitive action this Saturday, July 12th. The team, known as “Galo,” is set to face Bahia in a Brasileirão fixture at Arena Fonte Nova at 9 PM Brasília time. This upcoming match carries the weight of a surprisingly difficult recent history for Atlético when facing their Northeastern opponents.
Examining the immediate past, Atlético`s record against Bahia in their last three encounters is less than dominant, featuring one draw and two losses. This represents a return well below expectations for a club of Galo`s stature. Extending the scope to the last five confrontations, the statistics become more balanced, with both teams securing two victories and sharing points in one match.
Atlético`s last triumph over Bahia dates back to 2023, a narrow 1-0 victory achieved in Belo Horizonte. When focusing specifically on matches played at Arena Fonte Nova, the winless streak for Atlético stretches back four years. It`s worth noting that the teams did not meet in 2022 as Bahia competed in Série B that season, adding a layer to the timeline of this particular away drought.
Recent Head-to-Head: The Last Five Encounters
A look at the results from the most recent five matches illustrates the competitive nature of this fixture:
- Bahia 3 x 0 Galo – Brasileirão 2024
- Galo 1 x 1 Bahia – Brasileirão 2024
- Bahia 4 x 1 Galo – Brasileirão 2023
- Galo 1 x 0 Bahia – Brasileirão 2023
- Bahia 2 x 3 Galo – Brasileirão 2021
Squad Update: Absences and Replacements
Manager Cuca faces the challenge of navigating the upcoming match without two key players due to suspension. Goalkeeper Everson and player Rony have both accumulated their third yellow cards and are therefore ineligible to participate against Bahia.
Gabriel Delfim is expected to step in as the starting goalkeeper, filling the void left by Everson. For Rony, who wears the number 33 jersey, a direct replacement is less certain. Options such as Rubens in a central role, Júnior Santos, or Bernard are being considered to join the starting lineup.
The medical department also has a few players on its list. Cuello appears to be the closest to returning to full fitness. The Argentine midfielder is currently undertaking running drills on the training pitch, recovering from a right thigh injury sustained on May 21st.
Cadu and Carlos Maia, however, are dealing with more severe issues, both having suffered injuries to their right knees. They are currently engaged in gym-based rehabilitation and physiotherapy, indicating a longer recovery period.
Important Reinforcement: A Key Return
Adding a significant boost to the squad, Atlético-MG welcomes back Guilherme Arana for the remainder of the season, starting with the match against Bahia this Saturday. The club announced earlier this week that the left-back has been medically cleared.
Arana had been recovering from a right thigh injury. Frustratingly for the player and fans alike, this injury occurred on May 18th during the derby against Cruzeiro, just 18 minutes after he had returned from a previous month-long absence, also due to a right thigh problem suffered against Vitória in the Brasileirão. His timely return is a welcome sight for Atlético as they head into a crucial part of the season.
