On the evening of February 26, 2025, football fans will witness a historic moment as Concórdia faces Ponte Preta at the Estádio Domingos Machado de Lima. Marked for 21:30 (Brasília time), this match marks Concórdia's debut in the prestigious Copa do Brasil.
Concórdia, popularly known as Galo do Oeste, earned its place after clinching the Copa Santa Catarina title last year. The match is particularly significant for the home team as they seek to build on their recent success, having finished the Campeonato Catarinense season without advancing far.
Ponte Preta, meanwhile, enters the match hoping to bounce back from its disappointing performance in the Campeonato Paulista where the team was eliminated prematurely, finishing third in Group D.
Both teams are eager to progress past this first round, with significant financial incentives on the line; the winner stands to collect R$ 1 million after advancing. While Ponte Preta has experience on its side, Concórdia hopes to leverage the support of its home crowd, underscored by the intense energy expected from the stadium's capacity crowd.
The probable line-ups for the match see Concórdia fielding Villa; Biteco, Cella, Felipe, and Patryck; alongside Índio, Foguinho, and Péricles; and their forwards being Wesley, Kerlly, and Felipe Rangel. The only absence for the hosts is midfielder Evandro, who is recovering from injury.
Ponte Preta's lineup features Diogo Silva; Saimon, Emerson, and Danilo Barcelos; with Maguinho, Lucas Cândido, Léo Oliveira, Serginho, and João Gabriel forming the midfield and Éverton Brito and Jean Dias completing the attack. The visitors will miss Artur, Jeh, and Elvis due to injuries.
Fans are buzzing about the match, particularly as it presents Concórdia's first opportunity on such a grand stage, adding to the atmosphere of anticipation among supporters. Tickets for the match are priced at R$ 150 for full entry and R$ 75 for half price, with children under 12 gaining free entry, encouraging family attendance. Areas selling tickets include Galo Store, Posto Parisenti, and Banca Camargo.
Another element adding to the excitement is the switch-up in regulation rules for this year’s Copa do Brasil: if the game results in a draw, the winner will be determined by penalties. This creates additional stakes, as teams will need to push beyond any reservations if they wish to secure passage beyond the first round.
Under the guidance of coach Jailson Zatta, Concórdia will look to capitalize on their home advantage, alongside their historic achievement of securing this place based on their previous success, aiming to craft another remarkable chapter for the club after its foundation back in 2005.
Ponte Preta, with over 120 years of historic achievement, remains the favorite based on its extensive past competition experience. Alberto Valentim knows this is not only about pride but about redeeming the team's poor showing recently, which adds another layer of motivation for the players.
The match will also be broadcast live on SporTV and Premiere, allowing fans across the country to witness this exciting face-off, with real-time updates available through platforms like GE.
Both teams come off eliminations from their respective state competitions but with spirits high and aspirations renewed, they seek to carve out their paths to success under the Copa do Brasil spotlight. For Concórdia, this is more than just another match; it’s the beginning of potentially historic journeys.