In a commanding performance at Nilton Santos Stadium, Botafogo defeated Novorizontino 3-1 in a friendly match on March 22, 2025. This match served as a critical preparatory step for Botafogo before their upcoming Liga Brasileira campaign. The standout performer for the home team was Patrick de Paula, who showcased his scoring ability by netting two goals, solidifying his importance in the squad.
Botafogo's goals began with Alexander Barboza, who opened the scoring for the hosts just before half-time, followed by two strikes from de Paula. Novorizontino managed to score a consolation goal through Marlon, who struck a stunning long-range effort to cap off the scoring for the match.
The game saw an attendance of 6,931 supporters, who gathered to cheer on the home side in their final test before the intense demands of the Brazillian top-tier football season. The match was marked by a strong showing from the Botafogo defense, with goalkeeper John and later Raul making key saves to maintain their lead.
Coach Renato Paiva set his team up in a 4-3-3 formation, with the lineup featuring John in goal; in defense were Vitinho, Bastos, Barboza, and Alex Telles. The midfield comprised Gregore, Marlon Freitas, and Patrick de Paula, while the attacking trio included Artur, Santiago Rodríguez, and Igor Jesus. Throughout the friendly, Paiva opted to rotate his squad significantly, allowing most bench members to gain meaningful game time.
The opener came in the 39th minute, when Barboza pounced on a rebound after Alex Telles's shot hit the crossbar, giving the home side a crucial lead. Just moments later, in the 42nd minute, Patrick de Paula doubled the advantage with a powerful shot from outside the area following assists from Artur and Telles. This flurry of goals before half-time staved off early concerns about the team's performance.
After the break, the intensity remained, and Patrick de Paula struck again at the 67th minute. A flowing move led to Marlon Freitas setting up de Paula, who made no mistake in firing the ball past the Novorizontino goalkeeper, extending his team's lead to 3-0.
Despite being under pressure, Novorizontino did not give in. Their persistence paid off in the 77th minute when Marlon scored a spectacular goal from distance, reducing the deficit to 3-1. This moment instilled a renewed sense of hope in the visitors as they pushed for another goal, but Botafogo’s defense remained solid.
The match provided crucial preparation for Botafogo as they gear up for the upcoming series of fixtures, the first being against Palmeiras on March 30. The players will look to build on the momentum gained from this friendly, especially aiming to improve upon last season's ninth-place finish in the Brazilian league, where they are determined to show significant progress.
Botafogo will also face Universidad de Chile on April 2, 2025, in the CONMEBOL Libertadores, adding to their busy schedule ahead. As they transition into the competitive edge of the season, every performance, every victory, and every goal counts towards restoring hope and pride among their fan base.
This friendly offered a glimpse into the potential of the team under the guidance of Coach Paiva, as Patrick de Paula's breathtaking performance drew applause from the audience, heightening expectations for the challenges looming ahead. With his return to form, the midfield maestro is expected to be vital in their quest for success in the upcoming league.
Ultimately, Botafogo's preparation against Novorizontino showcased their offensive capabilities while also highlighting areas for improvement, particularly in midfield creativity and defensive resilience. Nevertheless, the team can take significant encouragement from their performance as they move forward into what they hope will be a prosperous 2025 season.
