Bahia fire back at Flamengo favoritism ahead of Copa do Brasil test | OneFootball

Flamengo turn their focus to the Copa do Brasil this week, heading to Salvador for a highly anticipated quarter-final clash with Bahia. The opening leg, set for 27 August at 19:50 local time, presents both sides with a critical opportunity in their pursuit of one of Brazilian football’s most prestigious trophies.

Bahia, managed by Rogério Ceni, find themselves under additional scrutiny given their coach’s record; Ceni has never defeated Flamengo as a manager and currently stands with a winless streak against the Rio club. Despite this, the Bahia camp shows no shortage of ambition. Notably, the club has secured a special sponsorship deal for the occasion, underscoring the scale and visibility of the tie.

Ahead of the matchup, Flamengo are widely cast as favorites, a perception not lost on Bahia’s squad. A Bahia attacker responded to the favoritism discussions with a dismissive “Podem falar” (“Let them talk”), signaling that the group is not weighed down by external expectations. Meanwhile, Ceni has openly commented on Flamengo’s resources, suggesting that the opponents benefit from an ability to reinforce the squad whenever players are absent. “When they are missing players, they just sign three more,” Ceni remarked, highlighting the disparity in squad depth.

Team news and final lineups will become clearer as the match approaches, but both clubs are expected to field strong elevens given the stakes. For Flamengo, the trip to Bahia represents a test of consistency and squad rotation, with league commitments and continental fixtures crowding the calendar. For Bahia, the fixture is an opportunity to upset one of Brazil’s giants and flip the narrative under the spotlight of a national cup.

The previous Brazilian league rounds showed Bahia capable of resilience—recently holding Botafogo to a draw and playing with competitive edge. However, they enter the Copa do Brasil tie as outsiders, a situation that can often favor high-energy, disciplined performances on home soil.

With the first leg setting the tone for this quarter-final, Flamengo travel to Salvador eager to establish control, while Bahia will look to channel underdog spirit and their home support into an upset. The second leg in Rio will follow, meaning the balance of this matchup, and potentially a shot at silverware, could well hinge on the result in Salvador.

Source: Lance