Bahia will begin their quest for success in the 2025 Copa Libertadores with a challenging matchup against The Strongest from Bolivia. This encounter, which was determined during the draw held by CONMEBOL, marks Bahia's return to the continent's prestigious tournament. The first leg is set to take place on February 19, 2025, at the high-altitude home of The Strongest, which is located at 3,600 meters above sea level, presenting significant challenges for the Tricolor.
After the initial match, Bahia will host the Bolivian team at Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, on February 26, 2025. The draw has ignited excitement among the fans, with many eager to support the team as they aim for advancement to the group stage.
Bahia's path through the preliminary rounds won't end with just the match against The Strongest. Depending on the outcome, they will next face the winner of the tie between Boston River from Uruguay and Ñublense from Chile. Securing victory against The Strongest is merely the first step, as Bahia will need to showcase their best performance to continue their campaign. "Se passar pela equipe boliviana, o Tricolor ainda precisa encarar um adversário na terceira fase" (If they pass the Bolivian team, the Tricolor will still need to face an opponent in the third round), as noted by O Globo.
Entering the second preliminary phase, Bahia is one of the prominent Brazilian clubs, alongside Corinthians, who are also optimistic about their upcoming matches. The tournament's structure allows for three rounds before reaching the group stage, with Brazilian teams only participating from the second phase onwards. This means Bahia will face foreign opponents right off the bat; the potential for regional rivalries adds another layer of intrigue.
The Strongest is no stranger to Copa Libertadores. The club is well-known for its competitive spirit and has previously performed admirably on the continental stage. Although they were unable to secure the title during the Clausura, their aggregate performance granted them the right to compete. This historical backdrop suggests Bahia will need to be at their best to overcome the Bolivian challenge.
Both matches present unique advantages and disadvantages for Bahia. While playing away could be challenging due to the altitude—and many foreign teams find themselves affected by the thin air—Bahia will have the opportunity to leverage their home crowd advantage for the return match. The support of fans at Arena Fonte Nova will be instrumental if they hope to turn around any unfavorable results from the first leg.
Reflecting on the preliminary phases of the COPA Libertadores, it is notable to mention how important these games are for Brazilian clubs. They come at the start of the campaign, testing the mettle and preparedness of teams before facing larger clubs. A successful run can significantly boost team confidence as they prepare for the more rigorous tests to come.
With the return of Bahia, the hopes are high, and the stakes are even higher. The fact remains, as the draw for the Copa Libertadores was announced, the anticipation electrified the fans: "Bahia já tem definido seu adversário no retorno à Libertadores" (Bahia has already defined its opponent for the return to Libertadores), reported O Globo.
Fans eagerly await the kickoff of the opening match against The Strongest, praying for victory and dreaming of progressing through the rounds. The road to the final is long and winding, but each step taken during these early rounds could potentially propel the team closer to achieving their dreams of continental glory.
With passion, determination, and strong support from their fans, Bahia looks to overcome the odds and establish themselves as contenders on the continental stage once again. The Copa Libertadores, after all, provides not just the avenue to fame, but also the possibility for Brazilian football to shine brighter on the world stage.
