The Operário Ferroviário Esporte Clube (Ofec) is set to face São Joseense this Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 15:30. The match will take place at the Estádio do Pinhão, located in São José dos Pinhais, as both teams clash for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Campeonato Paranaense 2025. The Fantasma (Ghost), as Operário is known, concluded the first phase on top of the standings, amassing 22 points over 11 matches.
Operário's coach, Bruno Pivetti, has prepared the squad for this significant encounter, with much at stake. The team will be broadcasted live on the NSports YouTube channel, allowing fans to follow the game from home. Meanwhile, São Joseense, led by Ageu Gonçalves, secured the final playoff position, finishing 8th with 13 points, having remarkably curated their season with four wins, one draw, and six losses. Their resilience qualifies them for their playoff dreams.
For Operário, the anticipation for this match echoes the team's success throughout the season. They are riding high on their recent form, having not lost any of their last five matches. A significant victory against Maringá (3-1) boosted their confidence, with standout performances from Vinicius Mingotti, Kleiton Pego, and Neto Paraíba. "We evolved greatly during the championship, particularly with the ideas Coach Pivetti instilled, and the results followed," said midfielder Índio, emphasizing commitment to the team's philosophy.
Conversely, the São Joseense appears invigorated going forward, bolstered by three consecutive victories before their meeting with the Fantasma. The Tricolor do Pinhão’s recent form suggests they have momentum, eager to pull off an upset against the favored Operário. "We want to embrace this opportunity; we’ve been on the rise, and this match against the leaders is the perfect stage to show our capabilities," remarked São Joseense's coach, Ageu Gonçalves.
Historically, the teams have met seven times, with Operário holding the advantage—five wins, one draw, and one loss. Their last confrontation ended decisively with Operário winning 3-0 at home, with Mingotti scoring first and Boschilia contributing two more. The memories of this previous encounter add layers of rivalry and anticipation to Saturday's match.
Admission to the match will cost R$ 40 for general tickets and R$ 20 for half-price tickets, with residents being encouraged to attend the game at the Pinhão stadium. Subsequent to the first leg, the second match of this tightly contested fixture will be played at the Germano Krüger on March 9, where home advantage will again tilt toward the Fantasma.
Both teams anticipate this clash not just as another match but as the beginning of their campaigns toward the final rounds of the Campeonato Paranaense. The stakes are high, and each team will look to secure their spot positively as they manage the ebb and flow of post-season football.
Given the current standings and past performances, Operário is the clear favorite; still, São Joseense’s recent successes cannot be overlooked, making this encounter one to watch. With both teams brimming with enthusiasm and tactics, football fans can expect nothing short of drama on the pitch this Saturday.