The Campeonato Paranaense 2025 has officially entered its deciding phase as the quarter-final matchups have been finalized following the last round of the group stage held on February 15. The standout encounters for the quarter-finals feature Athletico-PR against Azuriz, Operário-PR facing São Joseense, Coritiba clashing with Maringá, and Londrina squaring up against Cianorte.
These exhilarating first-leg matches are scheduled to take place between February 21 and 23, with the second legs following on March 8 and 9, after a break for Carnival festivities. The key fixtures promise excitement as teams vie for advancement to the semi-finals.
On Friday, February 21, Athletico-PR kicks off their quarter-final campaign against Azuriz at the Estádio Os Pioneiros, beginning at 20:00. The matches continue with São Joseense against Operário-PR on Saturday at 15:30, followed by Maringá’s encounter with Coritiba at 16:00. Lastly, Cianorte will take on Londrina the following day at 16:00 at the Albino Turbay Stadium.
According to the rules established by the Federação Paranaense de Futebol (FPF), away goals do not count as tiebreakers. If teams are level on aggregate score after the two legs, the outcome will be decided through penalty shootouts. This format adds tension to the quarter-finals, sharpening the stakes for all involved.
While the quarter-finals are set to showcase intense competition, the tournament has also seen its share of heartbreak with the relegation of two prominent teams: Rio Branco-PR and Paraná Clube. The Rio Branco Sport Club faced disappointment even with their latest victory against FC Cascavel, winning 3-1, which put them on equal footing with Andraus on points. Unfortunately, their inferior goal difference sealed their fate, as they ended the league phase with just ten points.
Despite the win, Rio Branco could not escape relegation as they needed to achieve not only victory but also significantly improve their goal difference. The FPF highlighted the unfortunate circumstances, noting, “Even with the win, the Leão da Estradinha was relegated, with the rival team Andraus narrowly avoiding relegation based on goal difference.”
The morning after the match, Rio Branco’s challenging season was reflected upon, with fans and players alike lamenting the outcome. This marks another chapter of hardship for Rio Branco, having just gained promotion to the first division the previous year. They had fought hard but finished their campaign reflecting on missed opportunities.
Rio Branco is not alone, as their traditional rival, the Paraná Clube, has also been relegated following their 2-0 defeat at the hands of Coritiba. With only seven points gathered over the course of the season, Paraná has also experienced the gut-wrenching reality of relegation, marking their third drop to the lower division within thirteen years.
Reflecting on their performance, the FPF stated, “Both teams faced challenges this season, demonstrating the fine line between success and adversity at this level of competition.” The final round saw Paraná unable to build on past successes, pulling their storied history back toward the lower divisions.
Looking at the current quarter-final pairings, the public's eyes are turned toward Athletico-PR’s dominant season, hoping they can translate their regular-season prowess onto the knockout stage. Athletico-PR stands as one of the tournament favorites, and all eyes will be on them as they aim for glory against Azuriz. The outcome of their match is anticipated to set the tone for the rest of the knockout phase.
Meanwhile, the likes of Coritiba and Londrina will step onto the pitch, also seeking to make their mark. The anticipation is palpable with the looming prospect of the semi-finals promising fierce confrontations.
Certainly, the last matches of the regular season highlighted the unpredictable nature of the Campeonato Paranaense, sparking conversations about strategies and the resilience of teams. Many speculate how the knockout stages will evolve, as teams anticipate rival matchups and plan tactically for their paths toward the trophy.
Fans, analysts, and players hope for thrilling encounters as the competition shifts gears. With teams like São Joseense and Maringá showcasing unexpected talent throughout the preliminaries, it remains to be seen who will rise to the occasion and claim the ultimate prize.
The Campeonato Paranaense 2025 is not just about the glory of victory but also embraces the spirit of competition, as both success and failure navigate their way through this storied tournament. The upcoming quarter-finals serve as both the culmination of the arduous preliminary matches and the promise of yet-unwritten stories, fueling passion within the heart of football as clubs look to advance and secure their place as champions.
Only time will tell who will emerge victorious and who will be left to ponder what could have been, as the beautiful game continues to captivate audiences across the Estado do Paraná.