The Bahia football team had to battle against both their opponent and the altitude as they faced The Strongest on February 18, 2025, at the Estádio Hernando Siles in La Paz, Bolivia. The match, part of the second preliminary phase of the Copa Libertadores, ended with a thrilling 1-1 draw.
From the very beginning, Bahia displayed their attacking intent. The team, eager to capitalize on their talents and momentum, created several scoring opportunities. Just two minutes in, Caio Alexandre struck the crossbar, providing the early sparks of what would be an energetic start. Their efforts were bolstered when The Strongest's Ursino received a red card for a harsh tackle on Gilberto just five minutes after the opening whistle.
Despite being one player down, the Bolivians surprised everyone by taking the lead. At 38 minutes, Sebastián Guerrero took advantage of Bahia's defensive lapse and found the net, giving The Strongest a surprising upper hand before halftime.
Bahia's head coach, Rogério Ceni, praised his team’s resilience, stating, "It's commendable how the players held on. Many have come here and succumbed." The Brazilian side, renowned for their ability to adapt and press forward, showed their mettle right from the start, controlling 74% of possession. Yet, they faced challenges finishing their chances, taking the game deep without connecting on potential goals.
After regrouping during the halftime break, Bahia returned to the field fiercely determined to equalize. The efforts paid off when superstar Willian José, who had entered as substitute, scored the equalizer at 68 minutes. Following great setup play involving Lucho Rodríguez and Cauly, Willian pounced on the rebound, sending the match back to level terms.
Ceni, reflecting on the adjustments made, noted the importance of maintaining precise positioning and tactical discipline, especially when playing under such challenging conditions. "The high altitude affected all players' performances, it wasn’t easy, but we managed to adapt and secure the draw," he explained after the match.
The significance of this match lay not only on the immediate scoreboard but also within its historical frame. This draw marked the best result for any Brazilian team competing at such altitude since 2017, indicating Bahia’s resilience and potential. The Strongest had not previously lost to Brazilian clubs at home since 2013, underlining just how remarkable this performance was.
Looking forward, the focus now shifts to the second leg scheduled for February 25, 2025, back at home at Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador. Tickets for this highly anticipated rematch sold out quickly. To advance to the third phase of the tournament, Bahia needs to secure at least one win. Should the match again end evenly, it will lead to penalty shootouts.
Before the return leg, Bahia must also tackle their commitments in the Campeonato Baiano, where they are set to face Juazeirense just days later. The strategic balancing act of managing player fatigue from the La Paz encounter and preparing for upcoming games remains Ceni’s challenge.
Reflecting on the overall experience, Ceni remarked, "We’ve got to improve our physical condition and maintain our tactical discipline. The next matches are what we must focus on now to keep our momentum going and aim for success." With heightened anticipation, fans await what will undoubtedly be another electrifying showdown as the competition heats up.