Paz reacts as Fortaleza fall again: the message to fans | OneFootball

Fortaleza CEO Marcelo Paz has publicly praised his side’s efforts despite their exit from the Copa do Nordeste at the hands of Bahia, acknowledging both positives and the need to move forward, as reported by Diário do Nordeste.

Following the 2-1 defeat at Arena Fonte Nova in the quarter-finals, Paz addressed supporters on social media, striking an optimistic note while not hiding from the disappointment. “We need to keep our heads up. We played well, we fought and competed, which is what the fans want from us,” stated Paz. He highlighted the team’s resilience and innovation during the match: “There were encouraging new aspects, a questionable penalty, but the team kept working for it and tried to the end.”

A notable point from the match was the debut of midfielder Matheus Pereira, who joined Fortaleza following a stint with Eibar in Spain. Pereira not only started but also netted the visitors’ sole goal in the second half, providing a silver lining in an otherwise challenging evening. Bahia’s goals had come in the first half, with Willian José converting a penalty and Caio Alexandre adding a second before the interval.

Paz urged both players and supporters to focus quickly on the next objectives. With regional ambitions in the Copa do Nordeste and State Championship now behind them—both having ended without silverware—Fortaleza’s priorities shift to the Brasileirao and the Libertadores. “Now it’s about focusing on Serie A, preparing for the upcoming Clássico, and looking ahead to important matches and the Libertadores further down the line. We count on your support and will keep working to evolve together,” Paz concluded in his message.

The club’s immediate challenge is the Serie A Clássico against Ceará at Arena Castelão, a fixture that carries its own significance and will test the squad’s ability to regroup after another near miss in knockout football.

This latest cup exit is the third disappointment for Fortaleza in recent months, following a runners-up finish in the State Championship and an early departure from the Copa do Brasil. The side’s intentions for the Copa do Nordeste were clear from the outset, as reaching and claiming the title was among their stated goals for the season.

As Fortaleza turn towards league and continental fixtures, Paz’s remarks underline an attempt to maintain unity and perspective within the squad and fanbase, recognising both recent setbacks and the opportunities that still lie ahead.

Original source: Diário do Nordeste