The team was gathered in the locker room after their victory over Probahia.
Coach Cerqueira, in his usual serious and motivational stance, called the players over for a quick meeting before they headed to the stadium.
"Let's take a look at your next opponent," Cerqueira said, making eye contact with each of them. "Today's match will determine who we face in the final. Don't underestimate anyone, but we need to understand each team's style. Let's head up to the stands!"
The team moved to the players' section in the bleachers, where a few fans were already seated, creating an energized atmosphere. Though Cleiton was still a reserve, he settled in next to Nathan and Cássio.
The anticipation was tangible. Vitória was close to the final, yet the path wasn't fully clear. As the match between Itabuna and Barcelona de Ilhéus began, each team's style soon became evident.
Itabuna, playing a 4-3-3 formation, had a similar approach to Vitória's game against Probahia.
They aimed to maintain possession but lacked the same flow and confidence in quick passes.
Barcelona de Ilhéus, on the other hand, was set up in a 4-4-2 formation, looking highly offensive and well-structured. Their two strikers, Jefferson and Rogerinho, stood out from the start.
"Check out Jefferson, number 9 for Barcelona. He's the kind of striker you can't leave near the box," Cássio noted as he watched the game. "The guy's a tank, pure strength."
Cleiton, observing every detail, was analyzing the game strategically.
"Yeah, Jefferson is tough to mark. He knows how to position himself, draws the defense, and uses his strength to push past the center-backs," Cleiton remarked thoughtfully.
"And Rogerinho, number 11… he's definitely the more dangerous one," Nathan added. "He's not as big as Jefferson, but he's incredibly fast. Blink, and he'll be past you."
Coach Cerqueira, listening to their conversation, decided to elaborate on the strategies of both teams as Barcelona de Ilhéus dominated the match.
"You see how Barcelona is playing, right? Their 4-4-2 is all about offense, exploiting the flanks and finding gaps in the defense.
Jefferson and Rogerinho are the heart of this setup. Jefferson draws defenders and holds them off, while Rogerinho cuts in through the spaces, taking advantage of his speed.
We'll need to be on high alert with those two because they don't miss opportunities."
The game continued at full throttle. Barcelona displayed their strength, and Itabuna seemed powerless against their onslaught.
With each goal, the Barcelona fans grew more ecstatic, while Itabuna struggled in vain to hold back the relentless attack.
By the end of the game, the scoreboard read 5-2, a convincing victory for Barcelona de Ilhéus.
Cleiton and his teammates were impressed with Barcelona's performance, realizing that the final would be a huge challenge.
After the game, the tournament organizers announced a break for lunch. A large feijoada was prepared for everyone, including players, coaches, and fans.
Food was also being shared with the homeless near the stadium.
As Cleiton, Nathan, and Cássio picked up their plates, they began discussing the stark contrasts between their own lives and those of the people there for the meal.
"Man, it's tough to think about," Nathan said, glancing at the homeless gathering in a designated area. "We've never really gone hungry, right? Sure, we've missed a meal here and there, but there was always something to eat, some way to get by."
Cleiton, who had seen his fair share of hardship, nodded in agreement.
"I worked with my father as a construction helper from a young age, always hustling to help at home. I never went a whole day without food."
Cássio, his gaze distant, spoke with a reflective tone.
"I used to sell fruit at the market with my mom. I always thought things were tough, but seeing this makes me realize we always had enough. Some of these people here, they go days without food. It's not easy."
As the three of them talked, they joined the other players to help serve food to the homeless.
The scene was moving, and Cleiton felt a mixture of gratitude and empathy. He knew that despite the challenges he and his friends had faced, there was always a way to keep going, and he felt less troubled by the difficulties in his own life.
After the distribution, everyone headed back to the stadium, where Coach Cerqueira gathered the team in a corner, with focused faces, ready for the next challenge.
Coach Cerqueira noticed that the team was still visibly tired from the previous match.
He knew the recovery time was short, but the situation called for an extra effort. With a more serious tone, he addressed the group again.
"Guys, I know we haven't had enough time to rest, and I also know that fatigue might be a factor in today's game.
So, the defensive strategy we're adopting has a clear goal: we're going to concede a bit of ball possession to the opponent and make them tire out faster. Barcelona de Ilhéus didn't have much time to recover either, and their style is highly offensive.
The idea is to wear them out, pressing when we have the ball but without overexposing our defense."
He paused to give the players a moment to take in the approach.
"The 5-4-1 formation will be ideal for this. With a line of five defenders in place, and two defensive midfielders adding extra protection, we'll stay compact and wait for the right moment to break forward in a counter-attack."
The players, focused, understood the importance of the plan.
This strategy was not only about conserving energy but also about smartly neutralizing the opponent's attack.
"So, our lineup for today's game will be as follows:"
**5-4-1 Formation**
Goalkeeper: Jaime Filho (1)
Right-back: Cássio (2)
Center-back: Ricardo Rocha (3)
Center-back: Marlon Kaio (4)
Center-back: Cleiton Silva (13)
Left-back: Dieguinho (6)
Defensive Midfielder: Kayque Silva (5)
Defensive Midfielder: Jorge (15)
Right Midfielder: Rodrigo (11)
Left Midfielder: Pedrinho (7)
Striker: Nathan (9)
Substitutes: Jhonathan (12), Claudio Sousa (10), Robson (14), Gabriel Costa (8), William (19)
Cerqueira looked at each one, conveying the confidence they needed to feel ready for what was ahead.
"Let's focus on making them chase us. With our defense well-positioned and the midfielders' support, they'll start feeling the fatigue before we do. We're prepared for this, and we'll show our defensive strength in the final."
"When we win the ball, our counter-attack will be crucial. With our full-backs, Cássio and Dieguinho, pushing up to support the offense, we'll quickly transform the formation into something more offensive.
And with Nathan up front on his own, we need to make sure he gets quick support from our midfielders like Rodrigo and Pedrinho, who'll be on the wings, giving him a passing option."
The team was now more prepared for the game. The strategy was clearly set, and everyone understood their roles on the field.
The sun was blazing, and the humid afternoon heat made the tension at the stadium even more palpable.
The Vitória team was on the field, warming up for the game, and Cleiton felt a mix of nervousness and excitement. He had reached one of his secret mission's goals, becoming a starter for this match, a personal achievement in itself.
Even so, the thought of debuting as a starter in a championship final, against a team as strong as Barcelona de Ilhéus, made him uneasy.
He wasn't sure if he was entirely ready, and the nerves coursed through him.
Cássio noticed Cleiton's anxiety and, after stretching, approached him with a smile, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, Cleiton, feeling nervous? Don't be. You've already proven your ability. It'll be fine—you're prepared. I saw what you did in the last game, and here, with a compact defense, it'll be easier, trust me."
Cleiton smiled, trying to calm himself, and Cássio's words gave him a little confidence. Then Nathan, who was also prepping for the match, came over.
He put a hand on Cleiton's shoulder and, with a serious look, said:
"We all know how hard you worked to get here. You've been through a lot to reach this moment. Believe in yourself, just like we all believe in you. Being a starter in a final is no small feat. This is your moment."
Cleiton took a deep breath, feeling the energy of his teammates' support. Nathan was right. He hadn't reached this point by accident, and now it was time to show his worth.
He nodded, trying to shake off the nerves and focus on what he had to do.
**First Half: Vitória vs. Barcelona de Ilhéus**
With the referee's whistle, the game was on. Barcelona de Ilhéus immediately dominated possession, moving the Vitória team around with quick passes, attempting to break through on the flanks and aiming for their two forwards, Jefferson and Rogerinho, who were always well-positioned.
Vitória, on the other hand, held a very compact stance, with five defenders and midfielders well-placed, waiting for the right moment to respond.
Cleiton, always observant, kept pushing himself, feeling the pressure of playing as a starter for the first time and knowing he couldn't make mistakes. He remembered Cerqueira's words: "Be firm on defense and seize any openings."
Yet, self-doubt crept in: "I can't mess up, I can't let the team down."
Just five minutes in, Barcelona de Ilhéus had a good chance, with Rogerinho breaking down the left, getting past Dieguinho, but Cleiton arrived quickly and intercepted just in time, sending the ball out of bounds.
It was a solid play by Cleiton, but he knew the pressure was only beginning.
Barcelona pressed on with fast attacks. At the 12-minute mark, the Ilhéus team attempted a right-sided passing sequence, with Jefferson, their number 9, receiving a through ball.
He surged forward, trying to get past Ricardo Rocha, but the Vitória center-back was alert, precisely tackling the ball away before Jefferson could shoot.
Cleiton, watching the play unfold from a distance, knew he needed to stay sharp on defense and avoid leaving any gaps. With each passing minute, the opposing team seemed quicker, more skilled, which demanded even more focus from Cleiton.
At 19 minutes, Barcelona launched another fast-paced play, with Rogerinho receiving the ball at the top of the box, shaking off Kayque and driving forward, dribbling right at Cleiton. The attacker, with his impressive agility, attempted to cut inside, but Cleiton, positioned well, managed to anticipate and clear the ball, preventing the shot. Cleiton's heart pounded, but he forced himself to stay calm.
Though Vitória's defense was solid, their transitions to attack were struggling. Pedrinho and Rodrigo were heavily marked, and Barcelona de Ilhéus maintained possession. Vitória's players were holding up against the game's pace, but it became clear that the opponents were beginning to feel the fatigue.
At 25 minutes, Jefferson, Barcelona's forward, misplaced a pass trying to launch the ball to Rogerinho, allowing Marlon Kaio to intercept it easily. Cleiton saw the chance to support an attack, but the opposing defense's pressure kept them at bay.
At the 30-minute mark, Barcelona made another mistake when Rogerinho's long pass to Jefferson was too high, landing right at Dieguinho's feet.
Cleiton noted that the opponents were starting to wear down, but once again, Vitória couldn't capitalize on their mistakes. They held possession in defense, attempting to reorganize, but the fatigue was affecting Barcelona's flow.
The pressure intensified at 35 minutes. Vitória was under siege but held firm. Cleiton, now more focused, made a crucial clearance after Marlon Kaio's failed attempt to head away an aerial ball.
A Barcelona striker was ready to finish the play, but Cleiton, reading the game perfectly, deflected the ball with his foot, sending it out for a corner. He glanced around, taking a deep breath, striving to balance his nerves with the weight of responsibility.
The first half was grueling for Vitória, with Barcelona de Ilhéus dominating possession and creating several chances.
But Vitória defended well, with defenders, full-backs, and midfielders sacrificing themselves to keep the score level.
At 43 minutes, another good opportunity came for Barcelona, but Marlon Kaio managed to block a powerful shot from Rogerinho aimed at goal.
The Ilhéus team was visibly exhausted but still tried to press, generating more goal-scoring opportunities, though lacking the offensive intensity they'd shown early in the match. Vitória's defense, despite the onslaught, held on.
The halftime whistle finally blew, and unlike before, the Barcelona de Ilhéus players were visibly worn out.
The Vitória players, though they'd been under intense pressure, felt relieved to have held out until halftime. Cleiton, still alert, felt a renewed confidence. He knew that if they stayed focused, the opposing team could tire even more in the second half.
The score was still 0-0, but for Vitória, the game was just beginning.
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