The city of Fortaleza braces itself for the electrifying atmosphere of the Clássico-Rei, as Fortaleza Esporte Clube prepares to face their fierce rivals, Ceará Sporting Club, in a crucial Campeonato Brasileiro Série A fixture.
Set to unfold at the iconic Arena Castelão this Sunday at 20:30 Brasília time, this matchday 13 encounter carries significant weight. For Fortaleza, currently positioned precariously in the league table, securing a victory in this derby is not merely a matter of local pride; it`s a vital step towards initiating a much-needed recovery in the Brasileirão campaign.
Coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda is tasked with navigating squad limitations as he finalizes his lineup. Defenders David Luiz and Bruno Pacheco, along with winger Moisés, remain unavailable due to injury. However, the technical staff will be heartened by the immediate impact of new signing Matheus Pereira, who found the back of the net on his debut against Bahia. Pereira is anticipated to earn a starting spot in the midfield for the derby.
Vojvoda`s tactical blueprint for the Clássico-Rei is a subject of keen interest. In the recent Copa do Nordeste match, the team lined up with four central midfielders: Lucas Sasha, Pochettino, Martínez, and Matheus Pereira. While this formation provided control, the demands of a high-stakes derby might necessitate a more direct approach. Speculation suggests the possibility of introducing Breno Lopes into the attacking third, potentially altering the team`s shape and offensive dynamism.
Further up the pitch, attacking options abound. The right-wing position could see either the experienced Marinho or the energetic Yago Pikachu take the field. The central striker role remains a point of contention between Juan Martín Lucero, who started the last outing, and the physically imposing Deyverson. Both offer distinct profiles, providing Vojvoda tactical flexibility depending on how he intends to break down the Ceará defence.
Considering the current player status, tactical tendencies observed, and the strategic importance of the match, a probable starting lineup for Fortaleza against Ceará is anticipated to be:
João Ricardo; Brítez, Kuscevic, Gustavo Mancha, Mancuso (or Diogo Barbosa); Lucas Sasha, Matheus Pereira, Pochettino; Pikachu (or Marinho), Lucero, Breno Lopes.
This encounter marks the first time these rivals have met in Série A since August 2022, a match that Fortaleza won 1-0 away from home thanks to a goal from Moisés – one of the very players now sidelined. The current league standings highlight the urgency for Fortaleza, who sit in 18th place with 10 points, five points adrift of Ceará in 12th place. Climbing out of the relegation zone is the immediate priority, making the three points from the Clássico-Rei particularly valuable.
As the teams finalize their preparations, the specific choices made by Coach Vojvoda, particularly the starting eleven he sends onto the pitch, will be under intense scrutiny. The outcome of this derby has the potential to significantly influence the momentum and trajectory of Fortaleza`s season.
