Botafogo and Bahia Face Do-or-Die Matches in Libertadores Preliminary Phase
Botafogo and Bahia need decisive wins in their Libertadores preliminary phase matches after losing their first games, facing elimination or penalty shootouts depending on outcomes.
- • Both Botafogo and Bahia lost their first-leg Libertadores preliminary phase matches 1-0.
- • They must win by at least two goals to advance directly to the group stage.
- • A one-goal victory will lead to a penalty shootout to decide who moves forward.
- • Botafogo is undergoing a crisis with seven consecutive losses, while Bahia is struggling with international competition form.
- • Both teams face high-pressure matches on February 25 against O’Higgins and Nacional Potosí respectively.
Key details
Botafogo and Bahia are gearing up for crucial second-leg matches in the Libertadores preliminary phase on February 25, after both suffered 1-0 defeats in their opening fixtures. Bahia will take on Chile’s O’Higgins at 19:00, while Botafogo will face Nacional Potosí at 21:30. Both Brazilian sides must secure victories by a margin of at least two goals to advance directly to the group stage; a win by a single goal would send the tie to a penalty shootout, while any draw or loss would result in elimination.
Botafogo is enduring a challenging period, having lost seven consecutive matches across competitions, including a recent defeat by Flamengo which ended their Campeonato Carioca quarter-final hopes. Despite a 2-0 victory against Boavista in the Taça Rio, the club is under significant pressure to reverse fortunes in the Libertadores.
Meanwhile, Bahia’s struggles extend to international play as well. Returning to South American competitions after a 35-year hiatus, the team is confronting a string of setbacks, with seven straight losses in continental tournaments, including three defeats in last year’s Libertadores group stage and the recent loss to O’Higgins.
The stakes are high for both clubs as they attempt to prolong their runs in the prestigious Libertadores. A narrow margin for error means that Botafogo and Bahia must display resilience and tactical precision to overcome their respective opponents late today.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
