Bola Rolando: Operário needs to prove on the field its favoritism against América-MG

The Worker vs. America-MG is, simply looking at the Serie B table, a confrontation in which the Phantom was to take the field as absolute favorite. There are 48 points from the Ponta Grossa team against only 17 from the opponent, already relegated to the C Series.

But football is not just about numbers.

And that’s exactly where the worry begins.

The Worker arrives at the start of Independence carrying a sequence of bad performances, physical difficulties, doubts in the escalation and the pressure on a new technical commission that still tries to understand exactly the size of the inherited problems.

America-MG would be the normal result.

The problem is that, at this moment, the Worker is still unable to transform what seems normal on paper into normal on the field.

America-MG has already fallen — and that could be dangerous

There is an almost automatic logic in football: facing a relegated team should make things easier.

Not always.

America-MG no longer has virtually no responsibility in the championship. Do not dispute access. It no longer fights against relegation. It does not carry the same emotional weight as those who desperately need the result.

You can go into light field.

And a light team, with no commitment to the table and no fear of losing, can also turn into a dangerous opponent.

Is America fragile? Oh, yes.

Do you have a very bad campaign? It is.

But to imagine that the game is won before the ball rolls would be a huge mistake.

The Worker also needs to look at his own problems

The greatest opponent of the Worker may not even be America-MG.

It's the Worker himself.

The Phantom dropped a lot of production in the second round. After finishing the first half of Serie B among the top teams of the competition, he lost performance, suffered injuries, wear and tear and physical preparation problems.

In the last games, the team has ceased to convey that feeling of balance and security seen previously.

Even positions that seemed resolved began to raise doubts.

In the goal, Wagner has been questioned after failures and insecure performances. In the defensive system, suspensions, returns and changes also affect the formation.

In the midfield and in the attack, Alberto Valentim still needs to find the best possible combination.

It’s a lot to solve just in the final straight.

Berto deserves a bank?

Another inevitable debate is in the attack.

Berto fell a lot of production.

At this moment, looking only at what has been presenting on the field, it would be perfectly justifiable an opportunity for Breno.

There can be no title based solely on what the player has previously represented.

Whoever is better needs to play.

Dantas, on the other hand, deserves continuity. He is a player who can deliver offensive presence and has shown conditions to remain among the holders.

The worker must urgently regain competitiveness.

This also goes through difficult decisions.

Alberto Valentim inherited a huge problem

I do not consider Alberto Valentim the coach who would naturally choose for this moment of the Worker.

But that doesn't matter now.

He was hired.

As the club’s coach, he needs to have support and conditions to work.

The problem is that Valentine did not receive a physically ready team. Inherited a worn-out team, with players at the limit and a series of situations that will not be fixed in a week or two.

You have to recognize that.

Luizinho Lopes left important things in the Worker. He was Paraná champion, commanded a great first round and participated in the construction of a relevant season.

But it also left a very physically worn out cast.

The two things can be true at the same time.

Now it is up to the new committee to recover what is possible.

The game is worth more than three points.

Mathematically, the Worker can still dream of a better position in the B Series.

There is even a possibility of finishing in sixth place.

But it would be practically necessary to completely transform the yield presented in the last rounds.

Lack of complicated games.

And to believe that the Worker will simply beat everyone because there is still a mathematical possibility would be to ignore what we are seeing inside the field.

That is why America-MG represents more than three points.

It is an opportunity to regain confidence.

It is an opportunity for Alberto Valentim to show some evolution.

It is an opportunity for players to prove that this team still has the ability to finish the season well.

The future has already begun

Perhaps the most important aspect is another.

Alberto Valentim is not just working to finish Serie B.

He will be directly involved in building the Worker by 2027.

He will be involved in casting, player choices and planning for a season that will have a huge weight.

The Worker will defend his status as Paranaense bi-champion.

There will be a Brazil Cup.

You will have the B Series again.

And you will find very strong state opponents.

What happens in the next five rounds is already part of next year.

It will be possible to see who can continue.

Who needs to leave.

Where the list needs to be strengthened.

And what identity Alberto Valentim intends to put in the team.

Against America-MG, therefore, the Worker is favorite.

You should win.

You have to win.

But those who have been following the Phantom in the last few weeks know perfectly well that there is a huge distance between what should happen and what really happens when the ball starts rolling.

Today, the Worker is favorite on paper. The challenge is to be favorite again on the field.

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