Bastos' highly anticipated return to the field for Botafogo was cut tragically short during their match against Nova Iguaçu on February 2, 2023. Just three minutes after kick-off at the Moça Bonita stadium in Bangu, the experienced defender felt knee pain following a tackle and had to leave the field.
His departure was met with disappointment from the fans, who had been eagerly awaiting his comeback after two months sidelined by injuries. Following the incident, Bastos watched the remainder of the game from the sidelines with ice on his knee, as Serafim came on to take his place.
Unfortunately for Botafogo, this wasn't the end of their injury woes. The match, part of the Campeonato Carioca, was already complicated by another injury, this time to Artur, who limped off the pitch with thigh pain shortly after.
This concerning pattern of injuries is reminiscent of last season when Bastos missed the closing stages of the Campeonato Brasileiro and the Libertadores finals due to muscle problems. Previously, he had suffered from damage to his left thigh which sidelined him right at the most pivotal moments for Botafogo.
Despite undergoing individualized training over the break to expedite his recovery, Bastos was deliberately held back from the season's earlier matches, including the Supercopa against Flamengo, due to tactical decisions by head coach Carlos Leiria. Leiria spoke at length about Bastos’ importance to the team, saying, "We know the importance of Bastos for the team, and this became evident last season. He has come from a shorter training period, so we need to think long term."
Leiria's hesitation to rush Bastos back onto the pitch seemed strategically sound at the time, especially with the season stretching out before the team. Yet, barely three minutes after being brought onto the field, the injury raised eyebrows and prompted questions about the decision to start him at all. Fans took to social media to express their frustration, questioning Leiria's judgement and the risk taken by allowing Bastos to start after such a long spell out."The injury of Bastos has become another headache for the defense," reported Globo Esporte as online communities reacted with mixed feelings.
Artur's injury compounded the issue, as he too was forced to leave the match early, decreasing the team's depth and flexibility going forward. The attacker's substitution, occurring around several minutes after Bastos', caused yet another shift within the setup for the remainder of the match.
The injury reports and rapid substitutions forced Leiria to rethink options on the fly, deepening worries among fans about Botafogo’s overall fitness as they navigated the season. This situation marks what could be seen as an unfortunate but consequential chapter for the team's campaign, which rests heavily on the capabilities of key players like Bastos and Artur, who both faced premature exits on this occasion.
Despite these setbacks, the Botafogo team has shown resilience. Fans will be eagerly waiting news from the medical department on Bastos and Artur's conditions, hoping for quick recovery and sustained performance as they move forward through the tournament. A comeback from either player could significantly impact the team’s chances of triumphing this season.