Decoding Botafogo

Following their shocking victory against PSG, Botafogo's name was immediately mentioned as a rising force at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.

Botafogo caused a shock by defeating PSG.

But there's a truth that needs to be put in its proper place. Botafogo is not a perfect team. And winning against the European champions doesn't mean they're an impenetrable fortress.

A single victory doesn't reflect the whole picture.

Following PSG's defeat, Luis Enrique praised Botafogo's defense. On the surface, this praise might discourage future opponents – especially Atletico Madrid. However, the statistics show that this victory is only part of the bigger picture, not a true portrait of an invincible team.

The match against PSG saw a well-organized Botafogo, proactively focusing on defense and limiting dangerous shots. However, this was a stark contrast to their opening match against Seattle Sounders – where the Brazilian side conceded 23 shots, 5 on target, and had an expected goals xG of 2.20. Against PSG? Only 16 shots, 2 on target, and a mere 0.54 xG.

In other words, if you judge Botafogo solely based on their win against PSG, you'll be misled.

Botafogo was hailed as the greatest season in its history in 2024: winning both the Brasileirão and the Copa Libertadores. But that glory was fleeting. After the miracle, they immediately faced a fierce brain drain. Coach Artur Jorge – the mastermind behind the double title win – left; Thiago Almada, Luiz Henrique, and top scorer Junior Santos also departed.

The consequence was a crisis. They suffered a humiliating defeat against Racing Club in the Recopa Sudamericana with an aggregate score of 0-4 - a figure that was even relatively mild considering the numerous saves made by goalkeeper John.

Coach Renato Paiva has brought promising signs to Botafogo.

It was in this context that coach Renato Paiva was brought in with the task of not only rebuilding the team, but also restoring its identity. He came from Benfica's youth academy – where tactical discipline and player development were always prioritized. And the result? Botafogo more or less regained stability: finishing 8th in the Brazilian league, qualifying for the Round of 16 of the Libertadores, and having a positive start at the Club World Cup.

Paiva's playing style - a defensive wall on both flanks and pragmatism.

Botafogo didn't dominate the game by overwhelming their opponents. They proactively dropped deep, lurking for counter-attacking opportunities and fully exploiting the strengths on the flanks – where Alex Telles and Vitinho frequently pushed forward to create breakthroughs. At the heart of the defense was Marlon Freitas – the experienced captain, acting as the "pivot" in every transitional phase.

In attack, Igor Jesus is the main spearhead, possessing excellent aerial ability. The players around him – such as Savarino and Artur – are all mobile players with a tendency to shoot early and powerfully. Artur is particularly dangerous when cutting inside and playing with his left foot – a type of player who can make a difference with unexpected long-range shots.

Botafogo are not an easy team to beat. But that doesn't mean they are invincible. What they showed in their first two matches of the tournament revealed a "two-faced" team: solid against PSG, but vulnerable against Seattle Sounders. This opens up an opportunity for Atletico - their final opponent in the group stage - if they are patient enough and know how to exploit the weaknesses in the Brazilian defense.

Botafogo is a dangerous team - but not an impenetrable one.

Paiva's pragmatic tactics proved effective in specific matches, but they also meant putting the team's fate on the edge – just one early goal could cause the entire system to collapse. And with a team rebuilding after a wave of departures, anything could happen.

In short, Botafogo is a dangerous team – but not invincible. They have structure, philosophy, and individuals who know how to hurt opponents. But they also bear the mark of a team still searching for its true self. And as such, nothing is impossible – including beating them.

Source: https://znews.vn/giai-ma-botafogo-post1563013.html