Internacional finished second in the 2020 Serie A standings. The Red were pipped to the title by Flamengo a season ago due to a single point. Now, manager Miguel Angel Ramirez is aiming for one place better in the table.
On Sunday, Internacional visit Fortaleza on matchday 2. The Red drew 2-2 on matchday 1 with Sporting Recife. Ramirez will hope the team can build on that draw and take all three points versus Fortaleza.
Chave virada e foco no jogo contra o Internacional.📸 Leonardo Moreira/FEC#FortalezaEC #Brasileirao pic.twitter.com/iAH4aQDKKQ— Fortaleza Esporte Clube ⭐️ (@FortalezaEC) June 3, 2021
Chave virada e foco no jogo contra o Internacional.📸 Leonardo Moreira/FEC#FortalezaEC #Brasileirao pic.twitter.com/iAH4aQDKKQ
In contrast, Fortaleza won 2-1 versus Atletico MG on opening day. Yago Pikachu’s second half stoppage-time goal gave Fortaleza a dream start to the campaign after the match looked destined for a 1-1 draw.
Internacional go into the game on Sunday in excellent form. They are unbeaten in five straight games in all competitions.
The Red have already played 23 times due to the cup competitions that preceded the Serie A’s start. They have a record of 12W-5D-6L and a goal difference of +24.
Fortaleza are also in good form. They are yet to lose this season under manager Juan Pablo Vojvoda. Fortalez have a record of 9W-4D-0L and a goal difference of +27.
It has been a great start to the overall season for Fortaleza. They finished 16th last term and only avoided relegation due to goal difference.
Perhaps Fortaleza are playing over their heads early on in the season thanks to games in the state and national cup tournaments.
The home team have won the last three matches when Internacional and Fortaleza played.
Last season, the teams split the games with Fortaleza winning at home and Internacional claiming the victory at the Estadio Beira Rio. The trend of the home team winning could end this weekend when the teams meet.
Vojvoda has two names on the Fortaleza injury list going into the match. Gustavo Blanco is a doubt due to a thigh injury and Jackson is unlikely to play following a knee injury.
Ramirez could be without three players as it stands. Midfielder Rodrigo Dourado is ruled out until the end of June with a thigh injury.
Defender Rodrigo Moledo won’t be back until September following a knee issue. There is hope goalie Danilo Fernandes will be fit after suffering a back injury.
Internacional have won eight of the last 10 matches versus Fortaleza in all competitions. The Red should once again claim a victory against Fortaleza and move to four points from six possible in Serie A after two matchdays.