Football Season Guide

Fortaleza started very poorly last season and looked doomed by the end of the first half. However, they were able to produce a very impressive comeback performing almost as well as the champions in the second part of the season, and finishing in a Pre-Libertadores position. Fortaleza will start the league season motivated for having clinched their 5th consecutive title of Campeonato Cearense, with a win over their arch rivals Ceará (2-1 and 2-2). Leão do Pici was eliminated in Libertadores qualification round, earlier this season, but started Sul-americana with a robust home win. Juan Vojvoda will start his 3rd season at the helm of Fortaleza, something quite rare in Brazilian football. Vojvoda may be preparing two formations for the season, switching between his trademark 4-2-4 (Galhardo and Lucero as strikers) and a more conventional 4-2-3-1 with Pocchetino as no. 10. Striker Lucero and winger Yago Pikachu are the most exciting new signings. The striker already had a big impact, scoring 11 goals on his 18 games with tricolor; Pikachu has already reached a level close to that he achieved in 2021 and 2022 before moving to Japan. Fortaleza possesses a great number of technically gifted played for the attacking positions. They also have a significant number of options for almost every position; once again, the attack has bigger number of options than the more defensive positions. Vojvoda showed ability to improve his defensive system when he was required to make some adjustments last season; still their defensive moment is by far their weakest spot, especially the defensive transitions. At 38, goalkeeper Fernando Miguel may be on his decline. Hércules and Caio Alexandre have formed a tremendous duo in midfield and they look the team's strongest link. Lucero and Galhardo also have been forming a very interesting duo in attack, as Lucero explores deep balls while Galhardo offers more associations through passing and dribbling.