Athletico starts pre-season with an eye on Paranaense; see the State squad

Athletico began preparations for the Paranaense Championship 2026. On Monday (15), the cast underwent evaluations and exams. This Tuesday (16), the group made up of under-20 players and led by coach João Correia went to the field for the first activities.

Twenty-one athletes performed again at CT Caju this week. In addition to them, six other players from the main squad will reinforce the group of Aspirants. They are: goalkeeper Mycael, defenders Belezi and Habraão, midfielders Dudu Kogitzki and João Cruz, and striker Renan Peixoto. They will perform again on December 26th, after the holidays.

The football director, Eduardo Freelandexplained the club’s strategy of using the younger squad at Ruralzão. “There are basically two reasons. First, the State Championship will start very early. Our game is on the 8th. So, this was a point that would directly interfere with the preparation for the Brazilian Championship, which is the main reason and which will also start very early”, he said.

“The idea is to understand players who have a level to keep the team at a good level, to keep the team stronger to compete. Players who had fewer opportunities in the final stretch of Series B. So, we understand that providing them with more minutes will make them more prepared for our start of the Brazilian Championship, when they were requested and also be able to reinforce the State team”, added Eduardo Freeland.

The technician João Correiawho will lead the group at Paranaense, projected the dispute and said that this will be a great opportunity for several young people in the squad. Names like Lima, Renan Viana and Chiquetti are already at the age limit for the base and are trying to get a chance at the main team.

“It is a great satisfaction, but above all it is a great responsibility, to start another season with this symbol, to represent this club. And now it’s time for the truth. For many of these players here, it is the opportunity of a lifetime, to play for Paranaense, to play against professional teams. We are by far the youngest cast, and we will not see this as a problem, but as an opportunity. On the first day, we already saw a very high intensity, the players’ energy is high. It is with great responsibility that we look at Paranaense”, guaranteed Correia.

Furacão debuts in the competition against Andraus on January 8th, Thursday, at 8:30 pm, at Arena da Baixada, but as a visitor. This is because the Campo Largo club will use the red-black home in the competition. Also in January, on the 28th, Athletico will play in the Brasileirão against Internacional, in Beira-Rio, in the first round. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has not yet detailed the times for the first rounds.