Bahia faces Atlético Nacional in a decisive duel for leadership of Group F

Bahia will take to the field this Wednesday at 7pm (Brasília time) for a direct clash for the lead in Group F of the Copa Libertadores. The duel against Atlético Nacional will be played at the Atanasio Girardot Stadium in Medellín and promises to be a decisive match. The Bahian club leads the group with seven points, just one more than the Colombian team.

In the first leg, in Salvador, the team led by Rogério Ceni came out on top with a 1-0 triumph. Now, however, the challenge will be away from home – and performance as a visitor has been a recurring concern. Bahia is still looking for more consistency outside the country, especially in matches with an intense atmosphere like the one expected in Colombia.

The recent form of both teams adds more tension to the clash. In the last round, Bahia was surprised by Nacional-URU at Arena Fonte Nova, losing 3-1. Atlético Nacional got a boost by beating Internacional 3-1, also in Medellín, and moved closer to the top of the table.

The group's situation remains quite balanced. Inter is in third place with five points and can still fight for qualification, while Nacional-URU, with four, also has a chance. Therefore, any point gained in this final stretch could be decisive in defining the two teams that qualify for the round of 16.

The Brazilian delegation flew to Colombia in the arms of the fans, excited by the possibility of making history. Rogério Ceni was moved by the affection shown by the fans at the airport and made a point of meeting fans before the trip. Despite the mystery surrounding the lineup, the team is expected to be practically the same as the one that was defeated by Nacional in the last round. The main news should be the return of full-back Gilberto, who has recovered from injury. In the attack, there is a doubt between Lucho Rodríguez and Willian José.

“We are working hard, trying to have energy for each game. We put more energy into Wednesday’s game, which is no guarantee that we will win. A 6.5-hour trip, then back, there is a game against Vitória. I would like to have a better house, more free time, to go out more. But everything has its time,” said Ceni, aware of the exhaustion of the marathon of games, but with total focus on the decisive match in Medellín.

Atlético Nacional should take to the field with full strength to face Bahia this Wednesday, with an experienced team and well-known names in South American football. Coach Javier Gandolfi is counting on a solid base with Ospina in goal and a technical midfield formed by Campuzano, Mateus Uribe and Cardona – the latter, formerly of Boca Juniors and the Colombian national team, is the team's main creative reference. The fans' expectations are high, especially after the resounding victory over Internacional in the last round.

“We know how strong Bahia is; they are a well-trained team with good individual values. But we are playing at home and we have an obligation to impose ourselves. Players like Cardona and Ospina know this type of game well and will be essential to lead the group on the field,” said Gandolfi, who highlighted the importance of experience in dealing with the pressure of a direct confrontation for the group’s leadership.

TECHNICAL SHEET

BAHIA X ATLÉTICO NACIONAL

BAHIA – Marcos Felipe; Gilberto, David Duarte, Santiago Mingo and Luciano Juba; Caio Alexandre, Jean Lucas and Everton Ribeiro; Cauly, Willian José (Lucho Rodriguez) and Erick Pulga. Coach: Rogério Ceni.

NATIONAL ATHLETIC – Ospina; Andrés Román, Arias, Tersillo and Camilo Cándido; Campuzano, Mateus Uribe, Cardona and Henestroza; Billy Arce and Viveros. Coach: Javier Gandolfi.

REFEREE – Dario Herrera (ARG).

TIME – 7pm.

LOCATION – Atanasio Girardot Stadium, in Medellín (COL).