In an exciting matchup set for Saturday, May 10, 2025, the Portuguesa and Rio Branco-ES will face off at the Estádio Oswaldo Teixeira Duarte (Canindé) in São Paulo for the fourth round of Group A6 in the Campeonato Brasileiro da Série D. Kickoff is scheduled for 17:00, and the stakes are high for both teams as they vie for crucial points in this competitive league.
Both teams are coming into this match with different momentum. Portuguesa, looking to rebound from a disappointing loss to Água Santa in their last outing, where they fell 2-1, currently occupies the fourth spot in the group with just four points. A victory against the group leaders, Rio Branco, could propel them to the top of the standings, provided Água Santa does not win their match against Porto Vitória.
On the other hand, Rio Branco-ES sits atop Group A6 with six points after a rocky start to their campaign. They suffered a 2-0 defeat to Maricá in their opening match but bounced back impressively with two consecutive 2-0 victories against Boavista and Porto Vitória. This strong performance has put them in a favorable position as they aim to maintain their lead in the group.
Diego leads the scoring for Portuguesa with two goals this season, while Rio Branco boasts a balanced attack with several players contributing to their scoring, including Maranhão, Nenê Bonilha, Diego Fernandes, and Vitor Leque, each with one goal to their name.
Portuguesa's head coach, Cauan de Almeida, has emphasized the importance of mental resilience for his squad. "This is a matter we work on weekly. We are doing very strong psychological work to ensure the team maintains a solid mindset, regardless of the match scenario. This is a constant process of evolution. Let this loss to Água Santa serve as a learning experience, so we can keep our concentration and handle adverse situations effectively," he stated.
In terms of team news, Portuguesa has no suspensions to worry about but is still managing injuries to key players. Volantes Paulinho Curuá and Tauã are recovering and have begun transitioning back into training. The club is also implementing a facial recognition system for entry into the stadium, which will initially be available to season ticket holders and will become mandatory in June.
Meanwhile, Rio Branco will be without zagueiro André Luiz, who is set to undergo arthroscopy on his left knee and is expected to be sidelined for about 45 days. Volante Carlinhos is also out due to a knee injury. Despite these setbacks, the team is looking to capitalize on their current form and maintain their lead in the group.
As the match approaches, excitement is building among fans, especially with the added feature of the game being broadcast live on BrancãoTV and LusaTV via YouTube. This initiative, approved by the Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF), aims to enhance the visibility of both teams and provide fans who cannot attend the match in person with a high-quality viewing experience. Renato Antunes, CEO of Rio Branco, expressed his enthusiasm for this partnership, stating, "We need to transform our competitions into good products, and the partnership between clubs is crucial for this. The broadcast of the games is an important movement to value our teams and benefit the main stakeholders in our work, which is the fans."
Alex Bourgeois, partner-investor and president of Portuguesa SAF, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that football is a product and partnerships like this reinforce their vision of the market. "For those who cannot go to Canindé, there will be a quality transmission to follow the match," he added.
As the teams prepare for this critical encounter, both will be looking to assert their dominance in the group. Portuguesa aims to bounce back and reclaim their form, while Rio Branco seeks to continue their winning streak and solidify their position at the top of Group A6. With so much on the line, fans can expect an intense and thrilling match at the Canindé Stadium.
As the clock ticks down to kickoff, the anticipation continues to build. Will Portuguesa find the strength to overcome their recent struggles and claim victory at home? Or will Rio Branco maintain their momentum and extend their lead in the group? One thing is for sure: this match promises to deliver excitement and drama as both teams battle for supremacy in the Campeonato Brasileiro da Série D.
