Botafogo was defeated by Bahia at Nilton SantosVítor Silva/Botafogo
Published 05/05/2024 20:30 | Updated 05/05/2024 20:31
Rio – Botafogo lived a night that seemed like a repeat film of the 2023 Brasileirão. Alvinegro had two goals disallowed, went behind on the scoreboard and managed to draw, but suffered a heavy blow in the last minutes and were defeated by Bahia by 2 to 1, this Sunday (5), at Nilton Santos, for the 5th round. Everaldo and Rafael Ratão scored for the Bahian team, while Jeffinho scored for Glorioso.
With the defeat, Botafogo remained with nine points, lost the lead in the Brasileirão and now occupies third place. Bahia, in turn, takes second place, with 10, and has the same score as the new leader Athletico-PR. Alvinegro returns to the field next Wednesday (8), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), against LDU, from Ecuador, at Nilton Santos, for the 4th round of the Libertadores group stage.
The game
Botafogo and Bahia had a very offensive duel from the first half. Luiz Henrique opened the scoring after seven minutes, but the goal was disallowed for offside. The team’s main reinforcement this year, he was the highlight participating in tables, triangulations and generating good opportunities. Savarino was also in danger when he hit the crossbar — but the move was canceled again due to an irregular position.
Bahia didn’t leave it cheap. The Bahian team was in danger mainly on the right side with the advances of full-back Santiago Arias. The Colombian took advantage of the spaces left by Hugo, almost opened the scoring in the 18th minute, created a good opportunity for Everaldo, in the 37th, and was the pivot of the penalty — scored after the VAR recommended a review — converted by Everaldo, in stoppage time.
The game’s panorama changed in the final stage. Botafogo pushed Bahia in the defensive field and had another goal disallowed, this time by full-back Damián Suárez, after two minutes. But Alvinegro was not discouraged. Goalkeeper Marcos Felipe saved from Óscar Romero’s shot, but the rebound continued with the Rio team and ended in a goal from Jeffinho.
After conceding the equalizer, Bahia managed to contain Botafogo’s pressure. The ball possession was divided with 50% for each side, but Alvinegro seemed more productive in exchanging passes and had a chance to turn it around with Cuiabano. Artur Jorge then tried to make the team more offensive — he even improvised with Barboza in the attack — but this was costly. Tricolor had space and won with a goal from Rafael Ratão.
Botafogo x Bahia
Date: 5/5/2024
Local: Nilton Santos Stadium, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Botafogo:John Victor; Damián Suárez (Alexander Barboza), Lucas Halter, Bastos and Hugo (Cuiabano); Danilo Barbosa (Gregore), Marlon Freitas, Luiz Henrique (Óscar Romero), Savarino and Jeffinho (Diego Hernández); Junior Santos. Technician: Arthur Jorge
Bahia: Marcos Felipe; Santiago Arias, Gabriel Xavier, Kanu and Luciano Juba; Caio Alexandre (Carlos de Pena), Jean Lucas, Everton Ribeiro (Ademir), Cauly (Gabriel Teixeira) and Thaciano (Rafael Ratão); Everaldo (Rezende). Technician: Rogerio Ceni
Referee: Rafael Rodrigo Klein
Assistants: Rafael da Silva Alves and Tiago Augusto Kappes Diel
VAR: Igor Junio Benevenuto de Oliveira
Goals: Everaldo, from a penalty, in the 47th minute of the 1st half (0-1); Jeffinho, at 18′ of the 2nd Q (1-1); Rafael Ratão, at 40′ of the 2nd Q (1-2)
Yellow cards: Bastos and Alexander Barboza (BOT); Kanu and Rezende (BAH)
