Náutico is on a run of 3 consecutive games in the Copa do Nordeste (Photo: Rafael Vieira/FPF) By Caio Antunes
The group stage of the Copa do Nordeste 2024 is in its final stretch and Náutico and CRB enter the field in the penultimate game of the 1st phase, at the Aflitos stadium, at 7pm this Sunday (24). The red-and-white club needs the result to continue in the fight to qualify for the next phase. Náutico occupies 4th place in Group B with six points, the same score as the first team outside the G-4, Treze.
Galo da Pajuçara also enters the field needing to score, because with Sport’s 2-0 victory over ABC, CRB fell to second place, with 11 points. And the first club outside the G-4, the River team, is just 1 point behind, with 10.
Timbu, despite qualifying for the final of the Pernambucano Championship, is experiencing a season of fluctuation and the pressure on coach Allan Aal is only increasing. So far at Nordestão, the team has not yet won any victory playing at home. In three games so far there have been defeats against Botafogo PB and River-PI and a draw against the Ceará team.
For the game Allan Aal will not be able to count on midfielder Lorran, who injured his thigh and is out indefinitely. As a result, newcomer Sousa should be kept in the starting lineup. Due to the sequence of games and little rest time, coach Allan Aal will make changes to the starting lineup for the clash. After sparing the most worn-out athletes and giving an opportunity to newcomers in the classic, the commander must opt for the return of defender Rafael Vaz and midfielder Patrick Allan, returning pillars of the squad.
Defender Matheus Santos spoke about the confrontation and the final stretch of the competition. “If we enter in the same way we entered against Sport, with confidence, we have everything we need to win against CRB and seek classification” highlighted the athlete.
How does the CRB come
The club led by ex-Sport and Náutico Daniel Paulista is in the final of the Alagoas Championship and will face the ASA team on March 30th and April 6th. In the Copa do Nordeste, the team is second, with 11 points achieved with three wins, two draws and just one defeat.
Despite a good campaign, CRB still needs to continue adding points to qualify and could, if they win today, achieve mathematical classification for the quarter-finals. The team’s highlight is veteran Anselmo Ramon, who has already scored 10 times this season and is the top scorer in the Copa do Nordeste. For the game Daniel Paulista will not have midfielder Jorginho, also ex-Sport.
GAME SHEET
Nautical: Vagner, Arnaldo, Rafael Vaz, Guilherme Matos, Diego Matos, Sousa, Marco Antônio, Patrick Allan, Cléo Silva, Paulo Sérgio and Vanegas. Coach: Allan Aal.
CRB: Matheus Albino, Hereda, Fábio Alemão, Saimon, Willian Formiga, Lucas Falcão, Rômulo, Gegê, Léo Pereira, Anselmo Ramon and Mike. Coach: Daniel Paulista.
Local: Aflitos Stadium.
Time: 7pm.
Referee: Antônio Dib Moraes de Sousa (PI)
Assistants: Alisson Lima Damasceno and Andre da Silva Andrade (Both from PI)
Where to watch: DAZN and Our Football