Caxias will face Internacional this Saturday, February 22, at 16h30 BRT, for the first leg of the Campeonato Gaúcho 2025 semifinals. The match will take place at the Estádio Centenário located in Caxias do Sul, where both teams will vie for advancement to the finals of this prestigious state championship.
With Internacional holding the best record from the group stage, they enter the match as favorites. Under the guidance of coach Roger Machado, they concluded the preliminary rounds with an impressive performance, securing 20 points out of 24 possible, comprising six victories and two draws. They last played against Monsoon, winning convincingly with a score of 2-0.
Caxias, on the other hand, advanced to the semifinals as the best performing second-placed team, finishing the group stage with 14 points. Their record includes four wins, two draws, and two losses. Their last outing ended as a 1-1 draw against São José, raising questions about their form heading this key match.
The Caxias team, led by Luizinho Vieira, will have to adjust their tactics as they are missing key players. Notably, midfielder Pedro Cuiabá is suspended and will be absent for the encounter. The coaching staff is considering three possible replacements: Lorran, Mantuan, or Paulinho.
Internacional's team lineup shows less disruption, though they are facing some challenges with injuries. Star player Alan Patrick is out due to an ankle injury, which complicates their attacking strategy. Coach Machado will likely rely on Valencia and Borré to spearhead their offense, alongside Vitinho and Carbonero, who are vying for playmaking positions.
Historically, Internacional has had the upper hand against Caxias, going unbeaten against them for nearly seven years. Their most recent encounter resulted in a 2-0 victory for the Colorado within the previous season. This historical data paints Internacional as the side with the upper hand, but as the saying goes, every match begins at 0-0.
The semifinals of the Campeonato Gaúcho are going down to the wire, and both teams are expected to bring intensity to the field. The return leg is set to be played next week at Beira-Rio, where Internacional will have the home advantage to solidify their passage to the finals.
Kick off is set for 16:30 at Estádio Centenário, and fans can look forward to watching the match live on RBS TV, online through pay-per-view services like Premiere, and on SporTV.
All eyes will be on this thrilling encounter whether you are rooting for Caxias or Internacional. It's more than just statistics; it's about pride, passion, and the drive to clinch the prestigious title of the Campeonato Gaúcho.