Bola rolling: Operário makes history in Brazilian Under-20 Cup

The Operário Ferroviário is showing that the future of the club necessarily passes by valuing the basic categories. And the results on the field prove that the work done in recent years begins to produce important fruits for the football of Ponta Grossa.

This Thursday (22), the highlight of the Bola Rolando column, here on the BnT Portal, could not be another: the excellent campaign of the Phantom in the Copa do Brasil U-20, national competition that brings together some of the main teams that train players in the country.

After eliminating traditional opponents such as Chapecoense and Grêmio, the Worker overcame another major challenge: the Nautical, from Pernambuco.

In the first match, played in Ponta Grossa, the Phantom won 2-0. Already on Wednesday (21st), playing at the Estadio dos Aflitos, in Recife, the Alvinegra team again showed personality and won a 3 to 2 victory.

Two wins, five goals scored and a ranking that places the Worker among the outstanding teams of the competition.

And now comes an even bigger challenge: Flamengo.

Worker vs Flamengo: confrontation promises to test the strength of the base alvinegra

The next opponent of the Operário Ferroviário in the Copa do Brasil U-20 will be Flamengo, one of the most traditional clubs of Brazilian football and known for the strength of its base categories.

The match will be played in round-trip matches and represents an important opportunity for young Phantom athletes to show their potential in front of a team of great national projection.

But there is a special detail in this story.

Flamengo has a player who knows the football of Ponta Grossa very well: the defender Miguel, who has passed through the basic categories of Operário Ferroviário.

In the Phantom, Miguel acted as a sidekick. When he arrived at Flamengo, he began to play the role of defender and won space in the U-20 team, using the shirt 4.

According to the information highlighted in the column, the agreement between Operário and Flamengo provides for a 50% division for each club in an eventual negotiation of the economic rights of the athlete.

It is an example of how investing in the training of players can bring sporting and also financial results to the Operário Ferroviário.

Léo Ehrig signs professional contract and can earn space with Alberto Valentim

Another name that deserves attention is the attacker Léo Ehrig, 19, one of the promises of the base alvinegra.

The youngster, who recently scored against Nautico, signed his first professional contract with Operário Ferroviário on Wednesday (21).

The professionalization represents an important step in the career of the striker, who goes on to integrate the options of coach Alberto Valentim for the main team.

And it wouldn’t be surprising to see Léo Ehrig getting opportunities soon.

Alberto Valentim has already demonstrated a willingness to observe and use players revealed by the club itself. Recently, athletes such as Brenno, João Botão and Dudu Moscone have gained opportunities in the professional roster.

This integration is essential.

It is not enough to just reveal players. It is necessary to offer conditions so that they can evolve, gain experience and compete in professional football.

Thiago Schumacher is a key player in the growth of the Worker’s base

Much of this work passes through the hands of Thiago Maier dos Santos, known in football as Thiago Schumacher, or simply Schumi.

Responsible for the base categories and coach of the Operário Ferroviário U-20, Schumacher has demonstrated ability to develop players and build competitive teams.

Work involves much more than achieving results.

It is necessary to identify talents, develop technical foundations, improve tactical reading and prepare young people for the demands of professional football.

The Worker also maintains work with other age groups, including the Under-17 and younger training categories.

This structure is essential for the club to maintain a sequence of talents and not rely exclusively on hiring in the market.

The growth of baseball does not happen by chance. It is a consequence of planning, investment and continuity.

Strong base does not mean abandoning experienced players

There is a frequent discussion among the Operário Ferroviário fans: given the good results of the U-20, why not put all these players to act in the main team?

The answer requires balance.

It is clear that young talents need to be given opportunities. However, it is not possible to ignore the importance of experienced players in the formation of a competitive team.

Professional football requires maturity, physical preparation, decision-making ability and experience to cope with pressure situations.

The most appropriate path is precisely to combine youth and experience.

The athletes revealed by the Worker need to find space next to professionals who can contribute to their development.

And that’s what Alberto Valentim begins to demonstrate by opening the doors of the main cast to base players.

Operário Ferroviário needs to turn talent into sports heritage

The Operário is not just a club that plays the Serie B of the Brazilian Championship.

It is an institution that has been consolidating its presence on the national scene, with important achievements, including the recent Paraná bi-championship, in addition to advances in its structure of training athletes.

The recognition of the Phantom as a formative club also represents an important achievement.

This condition allows the Worker to participate in mechanisms for the protection and valuation of investments made in the training of players, respecting the rules and the applicable contracts.

The example of Miguel, currently in Flamengo, shows how an athlete developed in Ponta Grossa can gain national projection and open possibilities for future negotiations.

Similarly, the professionalization of Léo Ehrig demonstrates that there is a real path between the basic categories and the main cast.

This is exactly the model that needs to be strengthened.

The future of the ghost begins at home.

The qualifying against Nautico and the next confrontation against Flamengo represent much more than a good campaign in the Copa do Brasil U-20.

They represent the consolidation of a working philosophy.

The Operário Ferroviário is showing that it can develop players, compete in major competitions and offer concrete opportunities for its young talents to reach professional football.

Of course, there are still challenges. Training athletes requires constant investment, proper structure and sound decisions.

But the path is being built.

And regardless of the result against Flamengo, the U-20 campaign already deserves recognition.

The supporter must accompany these young people, value the work done and understand that the base represents not only the future of the Worker.

She is already part of the ghost's gift.

This is the highlight of our column Ball Rolling this Thursday, here on the BnT Portal, always with you!

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