Club profile: Esporte Clube Bahia
Things are about to change at Esporte Clube Bahia.
The side from Salvador have floated between Brazil’s top two divisions for most of their modern history, but are set for a new era, having recently been purchased by City Football Group (CFG).
Best known for their ownership of Premier League outfit Manchester City, CFG’s Abu Dhabi-funded billions have the potential to utterly transform Bahia’s fortunes.
As Tricolor supporters dream of dominating Série A in the years ahead, we take a look at how things are shaping up at the Arena Fonte Nova.
Takeover talk
Following a vote by club members, CFG purchased 90% of Bahia’s shares last month.
The takeover was almost unanimously approved (98.6%) and saw them become the 12th official members of CFG’s stable – though they also have a ‘Partner Club’ arrangement with Bolivian side Club Bolívar.
With the likes of New York City, Girona, Palermo and Yokohama F. Marinos also in the group, Bahia will have plenty of expertise to call upon, as well as potential trading partners.
Success on the horizon
The long-term future certainly looks bright for Bahia, with CFG boasting an impressive record of success.
Girona won promotion to LaLiga in 2022 and have stayed there – securing a top-half finish last season – while Melbourne City, Mumbai City, New York City and Yokohama F. Marinos have all won at least one top-flight title since being purchased.
With Troyes and Montevideo City Torque also claiming promotions from their respective second tiers, it is hard to argue with CFG’s methods when it comes to accruing trophies.
And that’s before you even consider Manchester City’s 17 major honours since 2011.
Years of struggle
Recent history hasn’t been too kind to Bahia.
The Tricolor haven’t finished inside Série A’s top ten teams since 2001, and have spent eight seasons in Série B during that period – playing in the second tier as recently as 2022.
However, the club’s nadir came in 2006 and 2007, when they spent two years in Série C.
Salvador is known as Brazil’s unofficial ‘capital of happiness’, but that hasn’t been the case for Bahia supporters since the turn of the century.
The season so far
Considering recent campaigns, it is perhaps no surprise that Bahia have endured a challenging season so far.
They currently sit 15th out of 20 teams, with the division’s bottom four sides comprising the relegation zone. Only one point separates Renato Paiva’s men from 17th-placed Goiás, though the campaign is only ten games old.
Nonetheless, a winless run of six consecutive matches will be a concern.
Bahia will certainly need to improve their defence if they are to climb the table, having conceded 16 goals – the fifth-worst record in the division.
Room for improvement?
Bahia’s underlying numbers suggest their attacking abilities could see them avoid the drop.
Paiva’s team are a direct side that look to get the ball forward as early as possible, with a particular penchant for whipping crosses into the box – only five teams have attempted more deliveries than their 16.2 per 90 minutes.
Their forward pass completion rate comes in at a commendable 107.7 per 90 (eighth in Série A), and they’re ambitious when in possession, too, attempting (6.3) and completing (2) the seventh-most through-balls per 90.
With a combative presence in the final third – winning an impressive 32.4 of their 75.3 attacking duels per 90 – there’s plenty to like about the Tricolor’s attack.
Star men
Frontman Biel has been Bahia’s biggest goal threat this term, with two strikes to his name so far.
He’s a high-volume shooter, having racked up 3.26 efforts per 90 in 2023, and consistently gets on the ball in dangerous areas – averaging 4.64 touches in the box. They represent squad-leading numbers for both metrics.
Biel is supported by the creative skills of midfield maestro Thaciano, who has already contributed three assists and a goal this season.
The future
Brazilian football is preparing for a period of upheaval.
Debate is currently raging about Série A’s league structure, with the current TV rights cycle set to end in 2025.
Bahia will hope to challenge the division’s established elite in whatever competition format arises, and already have some of the basics in place – from an impressive academy to a sizable support base in the country’s north east.
With an expected cash injection from CFG over the coming seasons, the sky could well be the limit for Salvador’s premier club.
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