Jean Lucas will once again be a key player for Bahia in their matchup against Internacional this Wednesday, October 22, as they make up a postponed match from the 14th round of the Brasileirão. The midfielder will assume the role of captain in the absence of Kanu, Everton Ribeiro, and Caio Alexandre, returning to face the gaucho team after notable performances in their encounters during this year’s Copa Libertadores, where he scored in both matches.
Reflecting on his previous clashes with Internacional, Jean Lucas recalls that during the group stage of the continental competition, he found the net in both encounters—resulting in a 1-1 draw at Fonte Nova and a 2-1 defeat at Beira-Rio. His contributions in the tournament made him Bahia’s top scorer with four goals this year and positioned him as the second-highest scorer in the club’s history in the competition, only behind Charles, who netted six goals back in 1989. “I am pleased to have been able to score in those two matches and to have helped Bahia compete at a high level, even though we fell short of our main goal, which was qualification,” he stated.
Despite the disappointment of not advancing to the knockout stage of the Libertadores, Jean Lucas affirmed that the team’s focus is on returning to the competition in 2026 and progressing beyond the group stage. “We had the potential to go further in the Libertadores, and we see that as a goal for 2026,” he remarked. “Knowing that I have played a part in the club’s history is something that makes me proud and motivates me to achieve even greater accomplishments.”
As Bahia and Internacional prepare to meet again in the Brazilian Championship, the two teams are at different points in the season. Bahia sits in 6th place with 46 points, maintaining a strong pursuit of another Libertadores spot in 2026, while Internacional finds themselves in 14th place with 35 points, just four points clear of the relegation zone. However, Jean Lucas does not expect an easy match. “Internacional is a great team and deserves all the respect, but our focus is entirely on earning three crucial points that will help us return to the Libertadores,” he concluded.
Bahia and Internacional will clash at 7 PM at Arena Fonte Nova, setting the stage for an exciting encounter.