In a thrilling encounter at Beira-Rio, Internacional secured a vital 3-1 victory over Juventude in the sixth round of the Brasileirão on April 26, 2025. The win marked a significant boost for the team, bringing them to nine points and positioning them sixth in the league standings with two wins, three draws, and one loss. However, the victory was overshadowed by the concerning injury of Colombian striker Rafael Borré, who scored the third goal for Inter, ending a five-game scoring drought.
Borré's return to form was short-lived as he played for only about 15 minutes after coming on for Enner Valencia in the second half. He netted a header that seemed to seal the game, but shortly after, he was forced to leave the pitch on a stretcher due to pain in the posterior muscle of his right thigh. Coach Roger Machado expressed his worries during the post-match press conference, stating, “He felt something. It’s still early to make a diagnosis, but we know beforehand that Borré usually has a good recovery. Let’s hope it’s nothing serious, just a scare, because we’re a bit short on options.”
The situation is further complicated by the absence of other young players who could have stepped in. Lucca is sidelined with a muscle issue from training, while Ricardo Mathias is dealing with a knee sprain. This leaves the team in a precarious position as they prepare for their upcoming matches.
In a tactical adjustment, as Borré was replaced by Gustavo Prado, Machado shifted Wesley, typically a winger, to the central forward position during the final minutes of the match. The coach was pleased with this change, noting, “I liked Wesley as a nine. It gave a different characteristic to the attack. He was in front of goal two or three times and could have defined the match with a larger score. I liked it; it’s an option that arises from the needs of the match and I can think of using it more often.”
Looking ahead, Internacional will return to training at CT Parque Gigante on Monday, April 28, 2025, after a day off. The team is gearing up for their Copa do Brasil debut against Maracanã on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 19h. However, the chances of Borré participating in that match are slim, as Machado indicated that even without a serious injury, the Colombian would likely be rested to ensure his fitness for future commitments in both the Brasileirão and the Libertadores.
In addition to Borré's injury, Machado also highlighted the situation concerning midfielder Fernando, who was not included in the matchday squad due to an ankle injury sustained in a previous match. “Fernando wasn’t rested. He clashed with Vitão and felt his ankle,” the coach explained. The mounting injury list has raised concerns for the coaching staff, especially with the critical matches ahead.
Despite these challenges, there is a glimmer of hope for Internacional fans as Carbonero, who has been recovering from a muscle injury, has begun transitioning back to full training. “I saw him running,” Machado noted, hinting at the potential return of another key player to bolster the squad.
As the team prepares for their Copa do Brasil clash, the focus will be on maintaining momentum from their recent victory while managing the squad's fitness levels. The upcoming match against Maracanã will be crucial, not just for the progression in the tournament, but also for building confidence as they navigate through a challenging period of injuries.
With the stakes high and the pressure mounting, Internacional must rally together to overcome these hurdles. The fans will be eagerly watching to see how the team adapts, especially with the tactical experiments in play and the hopes of a speedy recovery for their star striker, Borré.
