On February 9, 2025, Maringá FC will host Athletico-PR at the Willie Davids Stadium for their ninth round encounter of the Campeonato Paranaense. Kicking off at 6:30 PM (Brasilia Time), this match is set to be pivotal for both sides as they vie for advantageous positions leading to the knockout stage.
The Athletico team, known as the Furacão, enters this game with renewed vigor following the return of several key players, including Mycael, Fernando, Felipinho, and Isaac. These players were previously suspended by the Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva do Paraná (TJD-PR) for their involvement in disciplinary issues during recent competitions. With these players back, Athletico aims to reclaim its momentum and improve on their current standing of fourth place with 15 points.
Maringá, on the other hand, is struggling slightly, having drawn with Paraná 0-0 in their last outing and still seeking their first win in three matches. Currently sitting sixth with 13 points, the Dogão is determined to maintain their spot within the playoff zone and is bolstered by the return of key players like Rodrigo and Júlio Rodrigues, who were sidelined due to suspensions.
Historically, Athletico has dominated their encounters with Maringá, having gone undefeated against them for over a year. The last 12 meetings have seen Athletico maintain the upper hand, with ten wins and only one loss. This adds pressure on Maringá to break the streak and make their home advantage count.
Both teams have eager and supportive fan bases gearing up for the match. This week’s broadcast will be available via NSports and the Athletico broadcast channel on YouTube, ensuring fans can follow the action live.
The possible line-ups paint a picture of the different strategies the teams might employ. Athletico's likely formation revolves around their star players with Mycael back as goalkeeper, supported by the defensive strength of Dudu and Belezi. The midfield will feature Felipinho and Raul, providing stability and creativity, respectively. Meanwhile, the attack will lean heavily on Kardec, who has been prolific lately.
Maringá's strategy will also influence the match's pace, featuring João Gabriel as their key defensive figure, with Tito and Vilar backing him up. The midfield duo of Rodney and Zé Vítor aims to assert dominance through possession, allowing the strikers Robertinho and Maranhão to find scoring opportunities.
The referee for the match will be José Mendonça da Silva Jr., with assistants Ivan Carlos Bohn and Sidmar Dos Santos Meurer helping him manage what is expected to be an intense and closely contested fixture.
Fans can anticipate not only thrilling plays but also potential fireworks on the field, bolstered by the football rivalry history between these two clubs. The stakes are high as both sides search for success to bolster their playoff ambitions, setting the stage for what promises to be not just another match, but possibly a chapter worth remembering in the 2025 Campeonato Paranaense.