Werner Pichler escreveu:
On Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 11:07:27 AM UTC+1, Mark wrote:
It looks likely that at least 1 of Cruzeiro, Vasco da Gama, Bahia, Santos or Internacional will get relegated this year.
Why would Bahia be a top club? Because they're owned by the Manchester City group?
I agree with you that labeling them a top club is a little generous. I would classify them as a regional power, being record winners of their state league and of their regional cup (Copa do Nordeste, 4 times winner, joint record with their rivals Vitória). Also, they're a popular club, used to play in front of big crowds at Fonte Nova and, as JP said, there's some respect for the fact that they've won nationwide honours. But grouping them with the Big 12, which is a large enough set already, may be a bit too much.
Let's put it this way: if Northeast Brasil was an independent country, Bahia would have been up there as its top club, or hovering among the top at least. In Actual Brasil, though, that bar ends up being set a little higher.
I think the main reason for that is economical. A sort of "accident of birth", if you will. The Northeastern region, where they hail from, was for centuries amongst the poorest regions of Latin America. And although things have improved
significantly over there in the last few decades, they still lie some way behind
the richer South and Southeast (ie, the home of the Big 12) in financial terms.
It is a decisive disadvantage for them, even though their football culture is arguably just as strong as that of the richer regions.
I don't think that being owned by the City group will necessarily bridge that gap, since other clubs in the South/Southeast are also going down a similar road (ahem). Well, we'll see what happens on that front.
Best regards,
Lléo
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