EC Bahia has successfully navigated its way into the semi-finals of the Copa do Nordeste, securing a 2-1 victory over Fortaleza with goals from Willian José and Caio Alexandre. This result positions the team as a strong contender for the regional trophy, facing Ceará next and potentially CSA or Confiança in the final.
However, coach Rogério Ceni has offered a somewhat surprising, albeit pragmatic, perspective on the significance of the Copa do Nordeste within Bahia`s overall season objectives. Following the win against Fortaleza, the coach openly stated that while the tournament holds tradition and value, it ranks as the least important among the four competitions Bahia is currently participating in (likely the Brasileiro Série A, Copa Sudamericana, and possibly Copa do Brasil being the others).
“I confess that of the four, the Copa do Nordeste is the least important,” Ceni remarked. “But it is also very important because of its tradition. We will try to put the best Bahia we can on the field in each game. We will try to survive without injuries.” He elaborated on the potential pitfalls of prioritizing cup competitions too heavily, citing past experiences: “I have worked in clubs that focused on the cups and suffered in the league points. This happens.” A classic coach`s dilemma: chase the glory of a cup or build consistency in the league? For Ceni, the points race seems to hold more strategic weight.
This strategic outlook directly influenced Ceni`s tactical decisions during the Fortaleza match. He utilized all available substitutions, a move aimed primarily at managing player workload and preventing injuries ahead of a demanding schedule. Bahia faces Atlético-MG in the Brasileiro on Saturday and América de Cali in the Copa Sudamericana on Tuesday. While player rotation is essential for survival in a packed calendar, these changes against Fortaleza led to a late conceded goal and unexpected pressure until the final whistle. “The changes were thought out to avoid injuries in this restart, and also one or two cases thinking about Saturday`s game, then Tuesday`s game [América de Cali, in the Sudamericana],” Ceni explained. “The goal is to keep these guys alive to play every three days. We have to rotate the squad, and we assembled one to use it.”
Squad Reinforcements on the Horizon?
Beyond immediate game management, Ceni also touched upon the ongoing transfer window, which remains open until September 2nd. The club is actively seeking reinforcements, though the coach indicated that any new arrivals would likely be “specific pieces” rather than a large influx of players, fitting within the club`s budget.
According to Ceni`s assessment, the area of the squad most in need of bolstering is the attack. “We are already with the window open, Cadu [Santoro, the football director] is working on this. We are looking for one or two pieces that are adequate for the budget and can help us,” he stated. He acknowledged players returning from injury but noted that some would require more time. While the midfield reportedly offers good alternatives, the forward line “suffers a bit more.” Finding the right players to enhance Bahia`s attacking threat is a key focus for the club`s management during this window.
With the tactical balancing act of cup progression and league stability underway, Bahia now shifts its immediate focus back to the Brasileiro Série A. The team is set to host Atlético-MG at the Arena Fonte Nova this Saturday at 9 PM Brasília time. The objective is clear: consolidate a stronger position in the upper half of the league table before tackling the next challenges, including the Copa do Nordeste semi-final and the crucial Copa Sudamericana tie.
