Cascavel relies on turnaround over Athletico to seek first cup

O FC Cascavel trust that you can surprise the athletic in the final of the Paranaense Championship. Serpente didn’t “throw in the towel” and wants to get the unprecedented title. Hurricane took the lead on the first leg, 2-1, and the big decision is scheduled for this Sunday (9), at 5 pm, at the Arena da Baixada.

In history, the Rattlesnake team had only reached the decision once: it was in 2021, against Londrina. That year, Serpente had an undefeated championship, even eliminating Hurricane in the semifinals, but lost the trophy on penalties to Tubarão by 6-5, after a 2-2 aggregate score in both games.

Captain Willian Gomes, who was at the club that year, believes in the “turn” against Athletico.

“We know how difficult this game is, but the word ‘give up’ has not entered the CT throughout this year. The week was very good, with a lot of focus and a lot of work. I believe that if we manage to transfer all that work and confidence to the field on Sunday, we have a great possibility of winning”, declared the captain.

Coach Luís Carlos Cruz is also confident of a good match for FC Cascavel and wants the off-field atmosphere to infect the players in this final. Serpente is already in Curitiba and will train at CT da Graciosa, in the new synthetic field of Coritiba.

“Anything is possible. We have to take it to the field, make a difference and play the best game of our lives in every aspect. It doesn’t matter how Athletico comes, it matters how we’re going to play. CT, which is synthetic. We are more than believing, we are living this energy from the city, from the fans, from the children to transform all this into a title”, declared the technician.

To take the unprecedented cup, FC Cascavel needs to win by two or more goals difference. Victory by a goal, takes the decision to penalties. In this State, in two clashes between the teams, Athletico had two victories: 1 to 0 in the first phase and 2 to 1 in the first leg of the final.

Campaign in Paraná 2023

FC Cascavel did not have a good first phase and was classified only in sixth place, with 15 points. In the quarterfinals, he went through Coritiba after winning at home by 3-1 and drawing in normal time by 0-0 at Couto Pereira, with the right to a great performance by goalkeeper André Luiz. In the semifinals, he overcame Operário on penalties.