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Mano Menezes arrived in Bahia with the correction of defensive problems as a priority. Last Saturday, in the 1-0 defeat against Atlético-PR, at Arena da Baixada, the Baiano team showed signs of evolution in closing spaces and acting more compactly. However, it was not enough to interrupt the sequence of nine games without a win, with four consecutive losses.
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Without Nino, sanctioned for the third yellow, the tricolor coach rode to Bahía with Douglas Friedrich; Edson, Ernando, Juninho and Juninho Capixaba, Gregore, Ronaldo, Elber and Eric Ramires; Rodriguinho and Gilberto. The tactical system was 4-4-2, with Elber and Eric Ramires open, while Rodriguinho and Gilberto were further ahead.
During most of the first half, Bahia managed to deny Atlético-PR spaces. But the Bahian team did not attack either. The result was an early stage with very few scoring opportunities. Since they are originally fighting midfielders, Gregore and Ronaldo cannot make a decisive contribution to the creation of plays. Newly hired, Elias is an option to correct the deficiency.
Gilberto was injured in the first half and was replaced by Saldanha – Photo: Disclosure / Bahia
Bahia’s lack of offensive power is explained by Rodriguinho’s distance from goal. In the best performances with the Bahia shirt, the midfielder was the second striker, free to step on the large area and get closer to Gilberto. Thus, it improved good finishing ability, game reading, and also reduced physical wear and tear.
Against Coritiba, in the debut of the Tricolor in the Brasileirão, Rodriguinho came to act as a false 9, a role that could be explored further by Mano Menezes. Against Atlético-PR, the coach lost Gilberto in the first half, injured. However, he opted for a more conservative modification and put Saldanha on the field.
Looking to increase Bahia’s defensive capacity, Mano Menezes has yet to find a balance. Against Corinthians, the team created a lot, but also suffered. Against Atlético, he suffered little, but only managed to threaten effectively after taking the goal.
– Soccer cannot be separated, just think about the defensive or offensive part. Soccer is very connected. Against Corinthians we created a lot of scoring chances. Today we knew that we would create less, because the opponent does not allow it. Here is the merit of a team that manages to build a high line, which presses within its field, with light players. You will not create that often. We have many times reached the last part of the field in the condition of creating. Sometimes we make mistakes, for one reason or another, but I think we can fix it by working a little more. And the team knowing how to behave in the game. I can idealize a game, I like to attack more or less. But the team in the field has to perform so that both things go well – explained the coach.
Around the second half, Mano Menezes had to deal with another casualty. Elber complained of muscle pain and was replaced by Clayson. The dynamics of the match continued similar to that presented in the first half, with the Bahia compacted, but without offering great danger in the attack. The problem is that a team that has the worst defense of Brasileirão cannot fail. And Bahia hesitated.
Abner crossed to the area and found Christian, who took advantage of the space in Juninho’s back to dodge the head and swing the nets. Before, Douglas Friedrich had already made at least two difficult stops.
The goal made Mano Menezes drive changes in the attack to renew the team’s breath. Rossi took the place of Eric Ramires and suffered a penalty from goalkeeper Santos. At first, the referee did not take the penalty, but was alerted by the VAR and reversed the decision. In the collection, Clayson telegraphed where the penalty would hit. In front of a Brazilian goalkeeper, the error prevented Bahia from leveling the game.
The final stretch left some indications of paths that the coach can follow. Defending defense will be a natural route, especially when Anderson Martins can enter the field. In the offensive sector, Marco Antônio is much more productive than other athletes in the sector. Regarding Rodriguinho, it is understandable that Mano Menezes seeks to cover the sieve that has become Bahia’s defensive system, but cannot accept, in return, having to sacrifice the main technical reference of the team.
Bahia will play again next Wednesday, at 9:30 p.m. (Brasilia time), against Botafogo, in Engenhão. Elber and Gilberto have no guaranteed presence. In return, Nino is once again available to Mano Menezes.
