What Happened in Brazilian Soccer Yesterday (Wednesday, September 11th, 2025)

Atlético-MG

• Sampaoli debuts at Atlético-MG aiming to break the taboo of coaches who have never beaten Cruzeiro in their first match, needing to overturn a disadvantage in the Copa do Brasil.

• Cruzeiro and Atlético-MG face off for a spot in the Copa do Brasil semifinal this Thursday at Mineirão, with Cruzeiro able to lose by up to one goal, while Atlético-MG must overturn a 2–0 deficit.

• Sampaoli reunites with Gabigol in the decisive Copa do Brasil derby between Cruzeiro and Atlético-MG, after trying to sign him at Sevilla and later working with him at Flamengo.

Bahia

• Fluminense 2–0 Bahia, Fluminense’s Home, Copa do Brasil, Highlights.

• After being eliminated by Fluminense, Rogério Ceni harshly criticized Bahia, stating the team “played absolutely nothing” and lacked courage. He highlighted the absence of competitiveness and said offensively the team “lacked everything.”

• Bahia lost to Fluminense 2–0 at Maracanã and was eliminated for the 10th time in 10 quarterfinal appearances in the Copa do Brasil. The team holds the worst record in this stage, never reaching the semifinals.

• Bahia beat Ceará 2–1 in the first leg of the Copa do Nordeste U-20 final, with goals from João Andrade and Dell, while Giulio scored for Ceará. The title will be decided in the second leg.

Botafogo

• Botafogo rejected offers above R$ 97 million for Álvaro Montoro, more than double the R$ 49 million invested in his signing three months ago. Director Deive Bandeira praised the scouting work and revealed four recent transfers of players to the Premier League.

• John Textor assured the court he will not transfer Botafogo’s SAF to the Cayman Islands nor dilute Eagle’s shares, signaling good faith to end legal disputes. He said conflicts are close to resolution and that “things are getting back to normal.”

• Botafogo may have absences against Vasco in the Copa do Brasil due to international call-ups of Vitinho, Savarino, and Montoro. While Montoro has returned and should start, Savarino is expected to play, and Vitinho is doubtful after fatigue from high-altitude matches with Brazil.

Bragantino

• Red Bull Bragantino will have five absences against Sport, including Eduardo, Praxedes, Thiago Borbas, and Isidro Pitta, all injured.

• Juninho Capixaba returns to Red Bull Bragantino after two months out with a knee injury, bringing experience and direct contributions to goals this season.

Ceará

• Ceará has a 62% success rate against direct relegation rivals in this Série A and aims to maintain its positive run against Vasco. The match takes place Sunday (14) at 8:30 p.m. at São Januário.

• Ceará presented renewal offers to Lucas Mugni and Lourenço, whose contracts run until the end of the season. Both could sign pre-contracts but remain in Léo Condé’s plans.

Corinthians

• Corinthians 2–0 Athletico Paranaense, Neo Química Arena, Copa do Brasil Quarterfinals, Highlights.

• Memphis Depay left the match against Athletico-PR with a leg issue, will be reevaluated, and may miss the clash against Fluminense.

• Gui Negão, 18, is in great form with four goals and one assist in five matches, securing Corinthians a Copa do Brasil semifinal spot and earning a contract extension until 2030.

• Corinthians secured R$ 9.92 million by reaching the semifinals of the Copa do Brasil, totaling R$ 20.6 million in the competition.

Cruzeiro

• Kaio Jorge is undergoing over 12 hours of daily treatment in an effort to play the decisive derby against Atlético-MG in the Copa do Brasil.

• Fabrício Bruno returned on a charter flight from the national team to reinforce Cruzeiro in the final training before the derby against Atlético-MG.

• Kaio Jorge has been included in the squad but remains doubtful, while Cruzeiro is expected to have its full-strength lineup against Atlético-MG in the Copa do Brasil.

Flamengo

• Fully recovered from an ankle sprain, Emerson Royal is pushing to secure a starting spot at Flamengo and may get a chance against Juventude.

• Jorginho is still feeling thigh pain and should miss Flamengo’s match against Juventude, while Varela is doubtful and Alex Sandro and Pulgar are progressing in their recoveries.

• Flamengo seeks to end a 28-year drought without an away win against Juventude, having already broken several taboos since 2019.

Fluminense

• Fluminense 2–0 Bahia, Fluminense’s Home, Copa do Brasil Quarterfinals, Highlights.

• Fluminense defeated Bahia 2–0 at Maracanã and secured a spot in the Copa do Brasil semifinals, keeping their dream of back-to-back titles alive. The club earned R$ 9.9 million in prize money.

• Renato Gaúcho praised Lucho Acosta’s impact off the bench, noting his role in the opening goal against Bahia. The coach did not rule out starting him in the future but explained he opted for three midfielders to ensure defensive security before taking more risks.

Fortaleza

• Fortaleza confirmed 20,273 fans for the match against Vitória, with 13,859 through member check-ins and 6,414 tickets sold. Palermo’s arrival and promotions boosted fan engagement.

Grêmio

• Grêmio dismissed CEO Márcio Ramos following controversy over a marketing campaign and other internal tensions.

• Grêmio is planning reinforcements for 2026, with Cebolinha and Roger Guedes as main targets, seeking to balance the wage bill to enable signings.

• Grêmio gains reinforcements with the return of Noriega and Cristian Olivera, who are expected to start against Mirassol, while Willian has yet to debut.

Internacional

• Enner Valencia left Internacional after just over two years, disappointing fans who never fully embraced him as an idol.

• With Valencia’s departure, youngsters Raykkonen and Lucca Drummond may get opportunities in Internacional’s attack.

• Roger Machado tested Vitinho as a starter and maintained a formation with two wide wingers for the match against Palmeiras.

Juventude

• Nenê hinted at retiring at the end of 2025 but did not rule out continuing at Juventude in another role: “I really like it here.”

• Juventude president Fábio Pizzamiglio emphasized the importance of the FIFA break to intensify training and reorganize the squad for the rest of the Brasileirão. Currently in 18th place, the team faces Flamengo on Sunday looking for a turnaround.

Mirassol

• Midfielder Gabriel has recovered from a thigh injury, trained normally, and is expected to reinforce Mirassol against Grêmio this Saturday. The team, 6th in the league, returns after a 12-day break and is coming off a big win over Bahia before the FIFA break.

Palmeiras

• Palmeiras invested over R$ 700 million in 12 signings for 2025 but kept key players like Weverton, Gustavo Gómez, and Piquerez as leaders in the team’s transition.

• Marcelo Lomba may lose space at Palmeiras with the arrival of Carlos Miguel and is considering leaving, suggesting his cycle at the club is nearing its end.

• Guilherme Nogueira, 18, was loaned from América-MG and made his debut for Palmeiras’ U-20 team in the Paulista, standing out as a promising talent.

Santos

• Adonis Frías was presented by Santos with the number 98 shirt, signed until 2028, highlighting the tough negotiation with León and his motivation to help the club recover in the league.

• Santos is rushing to register Alexis Duarte and Adonis Frías in the BID by Friday (13) so both can reinforce the defense against Atlético-MG on Sunday.

• Santos U-14 advanced undefeated to the Dani Cup semifinals and will face Vila Nova this Thursday (11) in Brasília.

São Paulo

• Arboleda and Marcos Antônio returned to full training with São Paulo and are expected to reinforce the team against Botafogo on Sunday.

• São Paulo ruled out any further signings and dismissed the possibility of bringing in Vincent Aboubakar.

• São Paulo plans to restructure its academy and build the future of the squad through an investment fund of up to R$ 350 million, without selling assets, aiming for greater professionalism and sustainability.

Sport Recife

• Lucas Lima admitted that a poor start and concentration errors explain Sport’s position at the bottom of the Brasileirão. He highlighted coach Daniel Paulista’s adjustments during the FIFA break to fix defense and attack before facing Bragantino.

• South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns offered €1.5 million for Matheusinho, but Sport vetoed the transfer, insisting only a full release clause payment would suffice. The player will stay and apologized for missing training.

• Gonçalo Paciência recently rejected an offer from a Portuguese club.

Vasco

• Vasco amicably terminated Alex Teixeira’s contract, which was due to expire in December, ending his second spell at the club. Since his 2024 return, he played 27 games, underperformed, and faced criticism from fans.

• Vasco loaned Loide Augusto to Turkey’s Rizespor for a year with a purchase option, after the striker lost his place in the squad. Signed for €1.5 million in February, he played 18 matches without goals or assists and failed to establish himself.

Vitória

• Fábio Mota presented Vitória’s consolidated debts: from R$ 361.4 million in 2021, renegotiated down to R$ 274.9 million, with R$ 99.7 million already paid and the current balance at R$ 203.4 million. The president warned of collapse risks without extra revenue and pointed to LFU as key to maintaining installments.

• Vitória is close to announcing 35-year-old Spanish forward Cristian Tello, formerly of Barcelona, who is set to arrive on a free transfer.

• Fábio Mota will hold a press conference this Wednesday (10) at Barradão to discuss SAF, Arena Barradão, and a possible departure from Libra to join LFU. It will be the first time since July that Vitória’s president addresses the press.