Most European clubs are in the middle of their preparation, but most South American competitions are already in full swing. In the Brazilian Serie A, for example, this weekend the eleventh game round is scheduled, in which relegation candidate CSA will compete against Athletico PR.
CSA:
CSA finished in second place last season in the Brazilian Serie B, thereby enforcing promotion to Serie A. That the club from Maceio was going to have a very tough season was of course already clear in advance, although the board had little patience with trainer Marcelo Cabo. Under his leadership, CSA achieved only six points in the first nine rounds, after which he was able to grab his bags during the short Copa America break. It is now up to successor Argel Fucks to guide the vice squad out of the relegation zone.
Last weekend Fucks made his debut on behalf of CSA on the bench against Corinthians (1-0 loss). Despite the defeat, he was satisfied with his team’s game: “We gave everything.” The blue shirts did indeed well in a defensive sense, but frankly they did not show enough in the offensive sense. The lack of scoring ability was also a problem under Cabo, as with only three goals, CSA is by far the least scoring team of the entire Serie A. However, those goals were all scored in their own Estadio Rei Pele.
Athletico PR:
Athletico PR too, with thirteen points and a provisional twelfth place, has not yet found its place in this new season in the Serie A. This is mainly due to the lousy results outside the home, as the five away games of this season produced a total of only one point on.
Yet nobody within Athletico PR is currently concerned about the position in the national competition. All eyes are focused on the diptych against the Argentinian top club Boca Juniors, in the eighth finals of the Copa Libertadores. Next Thursday, the away game in Buenos Aires is waiting, and trainer Tiago Nunes has already hinted that he will give his entire basic eleven rest for that squatter this weekend. The only basic player who will play against CSA is midfielder Wellington, as he is suspended for the first leg against Boca Juniors.
PREDICTION: Both teams to score / NO @ 1,74
