The Estádio Os Pioneiros in Pato Branco will host a Campeonato Paranaense 2026 encounter this Tuesday, January 20, as Azuriz takes on Athletico-PR.
The 20h match, part of the fifth round, will be officiated by Maykon Brito de Freitas (PR) and broadcast live on Canal GOAT (Youtube).
Athletico-PR arrives for this fixture with a revamped structure for its aspirantes team. Following the main squad’s defeat in the Atletiba, coach Odair Hellmann steps aside, with João Correia, the aspirantes’ own coach, resuming command.
This transition signals another reformulation, complicated by the absence of key aspirantes—João Cruz, Dudu, and Renan Peixoto—who have been called up to the principal team alongside Hellmann. Consequently, the visiting squad will largely comprise U-20 athletes.
Despite a recent expressive victory against Operário with the aspirantes, the team faces pressure for a win, especially after the main team’s loss to Coritiba.
Uncertainties regarding temperature and field conditions in Pato Branco add another layer of challenge for Correia, who aims to deliver a convincing performance from the ‘piás do Caju’ to appease the fans.
On the other side, Azuriz enters the match with considerable confidence. They secured an important away victory against Maringá and now look to capitalize on home advantage to climb to the top of Group B of the Paranaense championship.
For this decisive clash, Athletico-PR’s probable starting XI, under João Correia, features Mycael in goal; Gilberto, Belezi (or Marcão), Gustavo Veiga (or Murilo), and Claudinho in defense; Riquelme, Stabellini, and Marezi in midfield; with Bruninho, Chiqueti, and Renan Viana (or Mastriani) leading the attack.
Azuriz, guided by coach Alexandre Gallo, is expected to line up with Gabriel Buzzetto between the posts; Hygor, Ary Garcia, Brunão Gonçalves, and Vinício forming the defensive line; Gabriel Souza, João Felipe, and Igor Pimenta in the midfield; and Léo Guerra, Marcão, and Matheus Guimarães upfront.
Analyzing the encounter, Leandro Bernardi, Athletico-PR’s sectorist, sees a significant test for the club’s young talents. He predicts a tight game but leans towards a victory for the visiting side, forecasting an Azuriz 1 x 2 Athletico-PR scoreline.
Leave a Reply