Bola Rolando: Operário faces risk of a crushing defeat against Novorizontino?

The Operário Ferroviário arrives in the last three rounds of the 2026 Brazilian Serie B Championship in a situation that demands much more than victories to keep alive the dream of access. With 51 points earned in 35 matches, the Ghost needs to win his commitments and still count on a combination of results from direct opponents.

But the biggest challenge is right in the next round. On Sunday (1st), at 6:30 pm, the Worker faces Novorizontino, at the Jorge Ismael Stadium in Biasi, in Novo Horizonte (SP). And, given the performance of the two teams, the warning is not only for the possibility of defeat, but also for the risk of a knockout.

In my opinion, Novorizontino is the best team in Serie B today. It has an extremely efficient attack, a high quality midfield and reaches the final straight of the competition demonstrating candidate strength to access.

Novorizontino is favorite and Worker needs to recognize his limitations

The numbers help explain the size of the difficulty that the Ghost will encounter on Sunday.

The Novorizontino totals 64 points, with 62 goals scored and a positive balance of 32 goals. In the last five games, he has won four wins and a draw. It is a team that knows how to attack, controls the games and finds alternatives to reach the opposing goal.

The Youth, also with 64 points, appears as another highlight of the competition. The 4–0 win over Náutico on Monday (26), demonstrated the strength of the Gaucho team, which has the best defense of the championship, with only 23 goals suffered.

In fact, the result of Youth serves as a warning to the Worker. The Nautical suffered four goals, but could have lost by an even greater difference, were it not for the interventions of his goalkeeper.

It is precisely this type of situation that the Phantom must avoid.

I do not consider it an exaggeration to say that winning a tie against Novorizontino would be an extraordinary result for the Worker. A victory would be an even bigger surprise.

However, even in the event of a defeat, the minimum that is expected is a competitive performance, organized and able to preserve the dignity of the team in this final straight.

Alberto Valentim needs to correct the Worker's defense

My main concern is the way coach Alberto Valentim has been organizing defensively the Operário Ferroviário.

The team presents fragility on the sides, especially on the right side. When he acts with Maguinho or Doca in this role, he leaves spaces that can be exploited by opponents of greater offensive quality.

Against Novorizontino, this can be very expensive.

The opposing coach, Enderson Moreira, certainly knows these difficulties. With a qualified midfielder and players who know how to attack the spaces, Novorizontino is able to exploit just the most vulnerable sectors of the alvinegra defense.

In my opinion, the Worker should adopt a more conservative stance.

I would climb Miranda on the right side and Zuluaga on the left, seeking greater defensive consistency. Players such as Maguinho, Doca, Moraes Júnior and Feliciano have characteristics that can be better taken advantage of when they act more advanced.

Feliciano, even, is technically the best of this group, in my assessment. However, I consider that their offensive potential is superior to their marking ability.

The Worker cannot take the field against the best attack of the B series by offering so many spaces on the sides.

Alberto Valentim can have another reading and find different solutions. But, so far, their choices of escalation, organization, and replacements have not convinced me yet.

Gabriel Boschilia may be decisive, but it doesn’t solve everything on its own

Another point of attention is the physical condition of Gabriel Boschilia.

The presence of the midfielder can make a difference in the organization of the plays and in the offensive capacity of the Phantom. His recovery for Sunday’s game would be important.

However, even with Boschilia on the field, Novorizontino will remain widely favorite.

The problem of the Worker is not concentrated on only one player. It’s collective, especially in the way you position yourself and protect the defensive sector.

Valentine needs to find a formation capable of balancing the team and preventing the opponent from turning his technical superiority into a shot.

The results of the Serie B make it increasingly difficult to access

In addition to the difficulties within the field, the Worker needs to follow the results of the competitors.

Novorizontino and Juventude reached 64 points, followed by Vila Nova, with 62, Fortaleza, with 61, and Criciúma, with 59. CRB scored 55 points, while Sport Recife and Atlético-GO each scored 54.

Goiás, with 49 points and one game less, face Ceará on Tuesday (27), at 8 pm, in the Castelão Arena.

If you win, you will reach 52 points and you will overtake the Phantom in the rankings.

In practice, it is another obstacle for a team that no longer depends only on its own results.

Criciúma can also forward their classification if they win Ponte Preta in the next round. With 59 points, the Santa Catarina team would reach 62, while the Worker, even winning the remaining three games, would reach a maximum of 60.

That's why I consider the possibility of access to the Ghost extremely remote.

Mathematically, there is still hope. But in football, it is necessary to separate what is possible from what is likely.

Worker needs to finish Serie B with dignity

Regardless of the chances of access, the Operário Ferroviário has an obligation: to finish the championship in a competitive way.

With 51 points, next season’s Serie B stay is assured. Now, the goal should be to earn as many points as possible and show evolution for 2027 planning.

After the confrontation against Novorizontino, Fantasma will have ahead Sport Recife, in Estádio Germano Krüger, and Ponte Preta, in Campinas.

These are matches in which I hope that the Worker will be able to present a more consistent football.

Against Sport, the home factor can balance the forces. Already in front of the Ponte Preta, I consider that the Ghost will be able to seek a victory even outside its domains.

But it all starts on Sunday, against Novorizontino.

The fan can not demand miracles, but has every right to charge organization, dedication and tactical intelligence.

The Worker does not need to prove that he is better than Novorizontino. You need to prove that you are able to compete against a superior team without disorganizing.

And, above all, you need to prevent the final straight of a recovery campaign from ending with a knockout.

I hope that Alberto Valentim finds the answers within the field. Because, above any critical analysis, the desire is to see the Operário Ferroviário strong, competitive and respected.

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