Athletico breaks record games without taking a goal

Athletico reached the mark of Four games without taking a goal With the victory over Pouso Alegre, for the first phase of the 2025 Brazil Cup.

To be aware of the achievement of the team led by Maurício Barbieri, the club had not had such a series for four years.

The last time Athletico spent four matches without having a leaked defense was in June 2021, when he won victories about Youth, Avaí and Grêmio and a draw against Paraná Clube.

In 2022 and 2023, the Red-Black had a series of three games without taking a goal during the Paraná Championship. In this first sequence, were victories about Rio Branco, Azuriz and a goalless draw in the classic against Coritiba. Already in 23, the series was in the knockout of the state, with defeat over São Joseense and wins about Maringá in the semifinal.

In 2024, Athletico’s best positive sequence was with coach Cuca. The team beat Maringá in the final and then applied goals over Rayo Zuliano for the South American Cup, and Cuiabá, in the debut of the Brasileirão.

Change lever defensive performance of Athletico

Athletico had been suffering defensively earlier this season. The team conceded a goal in eight of the first nine rounds, even though they had a larger domain in the games. In the coach’s view, the team was “paying too much for what opponents create”.

However, The main recent news was the arrival of Portuguese Tobias Figueiredo. Announced on February 13, the defender made the debut for Athletico upon entering the second half of the victory over Londrina, for the last round of the group phase.

Already in the draw against the Azuriz, for the game of the quarterfinals, and in the triumph over Pouso Alegre, for the Brazilian Cup, Tobias formed the holder duo with Leo Pelé.

The formation surprised. Even being right -handed, the gringo has acted on the left side in recent seasons. However, in the Athletico, he changed aside because Leo Pelé is left -handed, which prevents his use on that side.

“It is good for us to gain confidence. Obviously we can improve. This partnership with Leo, we are still getting together. I am one more here to help. We are not just us, many times can happen one injury or have to play another. So we are a group, we always have to do our best and as we have to prove things,” said Tobias Figueiredo about the current moment of the team.

Furthermore, The arrival of Portuguese increased the level of competitiveness in the cast and decreases the chances of Lucas Belezi e Matheus Felipewhat it was borrowed to Atletico-GO. With flaws in the performances, the two were being cast in a kind of rotation.

Barbieri even won another option with the hiring of Habraão, who was in Fortaleza. In addition, the coach can still use Arthur Dias, graduated in the base categories and who was starting in the champion campaign of the Brazilian U-20 National Team in the South American of the category.

Athletico prepares for the return game against the Azuriz, which defines those who advance to the semifinal of the Paraná Championship 2025. The duel is scheduled for Saturday (8), at 16h, at Ligga Arena, in Curitiba.