Bahia Faces Internacional in Crucial Serie A Match

Salvador, Brazil – Bahia will host Internacional at Arena Fonte Nova this Wednesday, October 22, at 7 p.m. local time in a postponed match from the 14th round of the Brazilian Serie A.

Bahia comes into the game with high spirits after a significant 4-0 victory over Grêmio in their last outing. With 46 points, they currently sit in sixth place, just five points behind Fluminense, who is in seventh.

According to the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Bahia has an 84.8% chance of qualifying for the next Copa Libertadores. The Tricolor de Aço aims to capitalize on their home advantage, where they have an impressive 78.5% success rate.

On the other hand, Internacional needs a win to ease their relegation fears. They currently occupy the 15th position with 35 points, only four points clear of the bottom four.

Coach Rogério Ceni is set to welcome back Luciano Juba after a month-long absence but will need to adjust for David Duarte, who suffered an injury in the last match.

The team’s expected lineup includes: Ronaldo, Gilberto, Gabriel Xavier, Ramos Mingo, and Iago Borduchi; Acevedo, Jean Lucas, and Michel Araújo; Ademir, Tiago Sanabria, and Willian José.

Internacional arrives with concerns of their own, lacking key players Alan Patrick due to a back injury and Carbonero who is suspended. Coach Ramón Díaz may alter the formation to support the midfield.

Expected lineup for Internacional: Ivan; Alan Benítez, Vitão, Mercado, Victor Gabriel, and Bernabei; Luis Otávio, Bruno Gomes, and Thiago Maia; Vitinho, and Borré.

The match referee will be Flavio Rodrigues de Souza.