Vitória host Athletico-PR on Thursday, Aug. 6, at 8:00 p.m. Brasilia time in the second leg of the Copa do Brasil round of 16. The match takes place at the Barradão stadium in Salvador, Bahia, with a place in the quarter-finals on the line.
Vitória face the difficult task of overturning a two-goal deficit built by Athletico-PR in the first leg. To advance directly to the quarter-finals, the Bahia club must win by at least three goals. A win by only one goal will not be enough and will result in Vitória's elimination. Athletico-PR can qualify with a draw or even a one-goal defeat.
Vitória will be without midfielder Emmanuel Martínez after he received a red card in the first leg. Head coach Jair Ventura is expected to replace him in the starting eleven with Zé Vitor. Ventura may also remove one of his three central defenders, likely Brítez, to move Erick into an attacking midfield role and increase firepower.
Team selection and squad news
Long-term absences Claudinho and Esquivel remain out at left-back, leaving attacking midfielder Mendoza to continue filling in at left wing-back for Vitória. João Cruz is expected to remain in the starting lineup, while Kerwin Vargas is a potential addition. Several other players could be rested because of a congested fixture list.
Vitória's probable lineup under Jair Ventura features Lucas Arcanjo, Fabiano Souza, Cacá, Luan Cândido, Ramon, Caíque Gonçalves, Baralhas, Zé Vitor, Erick or Brítez, Matheuzinho, and Renê.
Athletico-PR, managed by Odair Hellmann, are expected to line up with Santos, Benavídez, Aguirre, Arthur Dias, Gilberto, Jádson, Luiz Gustavo, Mendoza, João Cruz or Kerwin Vargas, Leozinho, and Kevin Viveros.
