The Copa do Nordeste 2024 is an important regional tournament in Brazilian football, with 12 confirmed teams, including CRB, Bahia, Vitória, Fortaleza, Ceará, Maranhão, Treze, Sport, Náutico, River-PI, América-RN and Itabaiana. Four additional places will be filled through this knockout phase.
The Copa do Nordeste has 16 teams, divided into two groups of eight in the group stage. The top four in each group advance to the knockout stages, with quarter-finals and semi-finals in a single game and the final in two games.
The champion gains regional prestige, a place in the 3rd phase of the 2025 Copa do Brasil and financial quotas that vary according to performance and CBF ranking.
Ferroviário
Ferroviário enters the clash with solid preparation, evidenced by the 1-1 draw in their last friendly against Horizonte, in which they dominated most of the game, despite the substitutions that affected the pace of the match.
In previous clashes at home, Ferroviário presented a range of varied results. Among these, the 2-1 victory over Ferroviária-SP and the draws against Vera Cruz and Limoeirense stand out.
Coach Matheus Costa, from Ferroviário, expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance in the game against Horizonte. He emphasized the relevance of the five weeks of pre-season preparation, a short but valuable period that allowed for a thorough analysis of the squad and the definition of the starting lineup.
The formation that lies ahead for Ferroviário, during the friendly match, includes names such as Douglas, Wesley, Vermut, Willian Rocha, Daniel Vançan, Lincoln, Ralf, Bolota, Vincícius Alves, Ciel and Gabryel.
This lineup attests to a balance between experience and youth, notably with the presence of players like Ralf, providing stability and leadership to the midfield. The expected tactic consists of a 4-3-3.
ASA
In turn, ASA, facing the challenge as a visitor, boasts a history full of ups and downs.
In the most recent global results, ASA experienced a mix of triumphs and failures, including a 1-0 victory over Confiança and a 3-1 defeat against Nacional-PB.
Leandro Sena, ASA’s coach, faces uncertainty due to injuries to key players, including Júnior Viçosa and Wescley, who are fundamental players and are doubtful for the next game. Especially, Wescley is out due to a muscle injury, which is detrimental to the team’s tactical strategy.
ASA’s likely lineup, adapting to the circumstances, could include names like Bruno Pianissolla; Paulinho, Rômulo, Roni Lobo, Gabriel Feliciano; Colina, Allef, Caxito (Anderson Feijão) and Didira; Iago Santos and Gilvan. This arrangement suggests a more conservative approach, with the possibility of the team changing from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3.
As for the final direct confrontations between Ferroviário and ASA, there is a remarkable balance, culminating in the most recent meeting with a 1-1 draw.
Conclusion:
Therefore, Ferroviário has a slight advantage due to its extensive preparation period, defined starting lineup and the experience of players like Ralf, which could be crucial against ASA, who are dealing with injuries and possible formation changes.