Nestor hails Bahia win and goal in Copa do Nordeste final: “My star shines” | OneFootball

After the 4-1 victory over Confiança in the first leg of the Copa do Nordeste final, Rodrigo Nestor highlighted the team's intensity and the strength of Bahia's project. The midfielder, who scored a stunning free-kick goal, celebrated the team's performance, which featured several young academy players.

“It's incredible at times like these, my star tends to shine, man. Before the game, I tried not to think about it, but it's inevitable. Today, a team full of academy boys as well, that's very gratifying. It shows what the Bahia Project is. And we'll keep going, man,” Nestor told ESPN, referring to the club's talent development.

The player also emphasized the importance of competing for every play with intensity and maintaining focus during the match. “I think competing for every ball with intensity was the most important. Seeking the result from the start, we knew a set piece could decide it. Then we scored another goal from a set piece. I was very focused, glad it worked out,” he added.

Bahia returns to the field next Saturday at 5:30 PM at Arena Fonte Nova for the second leg against Confiança. With the 4-1 victory, the Tricolor de Aço can lose by up to two goals to secure the Copa do Nordeste championship for the fifth time.

Aiming for the second leg, the Tricolor de Aço played with a “mixed” team. Rodrigo Nestor downplayed the idea of an alternative team, highlighting coach Rogério Ceni's philosophy, which prioritizes the collective. “There are no starters or reserves, Rogério focuses a lot on that. Regardless of the team that plays, it was a final and we had to represent Bahia's colors,” he said.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.