The Copa do Brasil kicked off its first stage matches with excitement and anticipation as clubs from various divisions began to vie for supremacy. Among the notable clashes, Rio Branco-ES made its return to the tournament after four seasons, facing off against Novorizontino at the Kleber Andrade Stadium on Thursday.
Led by the seasoned Bruno Silva, the Capa-Preta (or Black Cape) team from Espírito Santo aims to cause an upset against the São Paulo side. Silva emphasized the importance of this match for the club's season, stating, "It's a democratic competition; we see many surprises happening, and many big clubs getting knocked out early on. This match can mark our history as we prepare well and strive for victory."
The Copa do Brasil, known for its unpredictability, is seen as 'dangerous' for favorites, and as such, the pressure is on Silva and his teammates to perform under the spotlight. The game's psychological aspect plays a key role, as he mentioned, stressing the need for composure and belief in their strategy.
Bruno Silva, who previously clinched the Copa do Brasil title with Cruzeiro in 2018, recalled his extensive experiences. "Having been both champion and eliminated by lower-investment teams, you have to believe at all times. We know Novorizontino is favored, but we'll impose our rhythm," he shared with ge.globo.
The matchup between Rio Branco-ES and Novorizontino is set for 8 PM (local time). Due to their lower position on the CBF Club Ranking, Rio Branco-ES is granted home-field advantage, and the team understands the significance of capitalizing on this opportunity. If the game ends in a tie, the decision will proceed to penalty kicks.
Meanwhile, Athletic-MG secured its progression after defeating Barcelona de Ilhéus 2-1 at the Waldomirão Stadium on Tuesday. The match saw Edson and Welinton Torrão get on the scoresheet for the mineiro side, ensuring their advancement to the next phase where they will face Grêmio, who triumphed over São Raimundo via penalties.
The Athletic-MG performed strongly from the outset, dominating the flow of the game. With notable defensive plays, the club made their mark with Edson’s opening goal after 26 minutes, followed by Torrão's second. Despite Barcelona's late goal from Alê, which came during the final moments of the game, Athletic held firm, nearly conceding again but for Sidimar’s last-gasp clearance.
Another significant aspect of this year’s competition is the alteration to the rules by CBF, removing the advantage of higher-ranked visiting teams being able to advance with draws. Now, matches will go directly to penalties if they finish level, increasing tension and excitement for fans.
This year's edition includes teams from all four divisions of Brazilian football. The participation of clubs like Pouso Alegre, Maranhão, and others from Série D adds to the competitive environment, where any team can potentially upset the odds.
Historically, the Copa do Brasil has been known for its thrilling surprises. High-profile clubs often find themselves on the losing end against lower-tier teams, which adds to the allure of the tournament. Most recently, Espírito Santo's Venda Nova eliminated Amazonas just last week, reaffirming the unpredictability of knockout formats.
Aside from classic matchups, clubs like Vitória and Juventude also angled for success. Vitória, who last won this tournament back in 2008, claimed victory against Maranhão—a familiar rival—for the first time since 1996.
Juventude, on the other hand, enters the competition after clinching the trophy back in 1999, and will hope to advance past Maringá, who is optimistic after climbing up the ranks to Série C.
With cash prizes on the line—R$ 1,874,250 for Série A clubs and R$ 1 million for lower-ranked teams—the stakes have never been higher. Teams understand the financial incentive behind advancing, which could prove pivotal for their clubs’ operational budgets moving forward.
Overall, the Copa do Brasil’s first stage promises thrilling encounters filled with passion and unforgettable moments. Teams, fans, and players alike hold their breaths as they await to see who advances. With every match, the possibility of history being made is high, and surprises remain the order of the day.