As the Campeonato Brasileiro 2025 heats up, the pressure mounts for Juventude as they prepare to face Fortaleza on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the Estádio Presidente Vargas in Fortaleza. With kickoff set for 16h (Brasília time), this match is crucial for both teams, but particularly for Juventude, who are desperately seeking to turn their fortunes around after a dismal streak.
Juventude's head coach, Fábio Matias, is acutely aware of the challenges his team faces. The squad has not tasted victory in four matches, suffering three losses along the way. "Cabe a nós tentar ajustar, tentar ter equilíbrio, porque em vários momentos esse grupo já mostrou muita qualidade, já mostrou muita competência, e a gente sabe disso. Temos que buscar agora esse equilíbrio para conquistar pontos," Matias stated. His words reflect the urgency of the situation as they aim to regain confidence and secure points away from home.
The coach is expected to make several changes to the starting lineup, which has been in flux due to injuries and performance issues. One notable change could see Rodrigo Sam return to the field after recovering from a slight muscle discomfort that kept him out of the previous match against Atlético-MG. His presence could bolster the defense, which has struggled throughout the season.
Juventude's recent performances have been concerning, particularly their away games where they have only managed to score once and have conceded a staggering 11 goals in three outings. This statistic highlights their vulnerability, making them the team with the worst defensive record in the league, having conceded 15 goals overall, averaging more than two goals per game.
On the offensive side, Matias is contemplating a shift in his attacking strategy. Jean Carlos, who has been utilized on the wing, may lose his starting position to Batalla, who has demonstrated more attacking prowess. "O Jean é um jogador muito interessante, tem muita qualidade. É óbvio que em alguns momentos vai dar certo, em outros momentos não," Matias reflected on the competition for places in the squad. Meanwhile, Gabriel Taliari and Gilberto are also vying for a spot in the attack, with Taliari showing more movement and energy in recent games.
Fortaleza, on the other hand, is looking to capitalize on Juventude's struggles. They come into this match following a mixed bag of results, including a 2-1 loss to Sport Recife and a 1-1 draw against Atlético Bucaramanga in the Libertadores. Their most recent outing was another defeat, this time against Palmeiras, which saw them lose 2-1. Despite these setbacks, Fortaleza boasts a strong home record, making them a formidable opponent.
Lucero, Fortaleza's top scorer with 10 goals this season, poses a significant threat to Juventude's beleaguered defense. He notably scored twice against Juventude in their last home encounter. As both teams prepare for this clash, the stakes could not be higher, with Fortaleza seeking to improve their standing and Juventude desperate to claw their way out of the relegation zone.
The historical context of this matchup adds another layer of intrigue. In their previous 20 encounters, Fortaleza has emerged victorious nine times, while Juventude has only managed to secure two wins, with the remaining matches ending in draws. This trend could weigh heavily on Juventude's players as they step onto the pitch in Fortaleza.
As the match approaches, Fábio Matias is keen to solidify his tactics. The probable lineup for Juventude could see Marcão in goal, supported by a backline of Ewerthon, Rodrigo Sam (if fit), Marcos Paulo, and Alan Ruschel. The midfield may include Giraldo, Jadson, and Mandaca, while the attacking trio could feature Batalla (or Jean), Énio, and either Gilberto or Taliari. These final training sessions leading up to the match will be crucial for Matias to finalize his game plan.
Fans of both teams are eagerly anticipating this clash, with Juventude supporters hoping for a turnaround in fortunes and Fortaleza fans eager to see their team capitalize on their home advantage. The match promises to be an exciting affair, with both sides possessing the potential to make an impact.
As the teams head into the match on Saturday, the tension is palpable. Juventude must find a way to overcome their defensive woes and convert chances into goals if they hope to secure a result against a determined Fortaleza side. With both teams looking to make a statement in this pivotal match, the stage is set for an exhilarating encounter that could shape the trajectory of their respective seasons.
