Botafogo published this Sunday its squad list for the Campeonato Brasileiro showdown against Coritiba at Nilton Santos, and the message is clear from the jump: the defence got hit, but the bench got a jolt. According to Jogo Hoje, Ferraresi, Mateo Ponte and Alex Telles are out, while Chris Ramos and Justino are back in the picture.
With the team manager Franclim Carvalho shaping the options for a match that demands sharp timing in the defensive transition, this is the kind of selection that can swing the plan in the first 20 minutes. You don’t just “lose players” on matchday. You lose structure, cover, and rhythm.
What changed in the squad list
The squad list reads like a tactical puzzle with missing pieces. Ferraresi is absent, Alex Telles is not listed either, and Mateo Ponte is out, likely tied to the foreigner limit. On the flip side, Chris Ramos returns to the matchday group for the first time in 2026, and Justino comes back after featuring for the under-20s during the week.
- Out: Ferraresi
- Out: Alex Telles
- Out: Mateo Ponte (likely due to the foreigner limit)
- Back in: Chris Ramos
- Back in: Justino
- Still out: Marçal, Kaio Pantaleão, Joaquín Correa, Nathan Fernandes
The absences that weigh on defence and full-backs
Let’s not sugarcoat it: losing Ferraresi and Alex Telles forces Botafogo to rethink its back line and laterals coverage. In a game plan that lives or dies on the speed of the first counterpress, that’s a direct hit to how quickly the team can reorganize after losing the ball.
Alex Telles’ absence, in particular, changes the way the team protects the half-spaces. Without his profile, Botafogo may have to lean on different full-backs responsibilities, meaning more ground to cover and fewer clean angles to slow down Coritiba’s forward runners. And with Ferraresi out, the centre-back pairing won’t just be “different” on paper. The communication, the stepping triggers, and the way they defend on the turn all shift.
Chris Ramos returns and reshapes attacking options
Chris Ramos being in the group for the first time in 2026 is the kind of move that changes how the match can be managed. When a striker returns to the bench options, it’s not only about minutes. It’s about what Botafogo can do when the game becomes chaotic.
Ramos gives Franclim Carvalho a specific lever: a different kind of threat in the box and a more direct reference point if Botafogo needs to speed up the attack after a transitional moment. That matters because Coritiba’s style often invites the press, and then punishes hesitation. If Botafogo’s defensive transition isn’t perfect, Ramos could turn the second phase into a weapon instead of a scramble.
Justino reappears and adds depth from the youth path
Justino’s return after under-20 minutes is a reminder that the club is still feeding the system from the base. For a match where defensive stability is already under pressure, having a young, match-ready option on the roster can be gold.
Depending on how Botafogo lines up, Justino might be used to protect energy, correct spacing, or even shift the team’s balance if the first plan doesn’t hold. It’s the kind of selection that keeps the structure intact while the game tempo climbs.
What it indicates for the lineup vs Coritiba
This is a classic case where the selection tells you the strategy before the whistle. Botafogo likely enters the Nilton Santos duel with a heavier emphasis on defensive cover and controlling the first ball to stabilize the defensive transition. Meanwhile, the return of Chris Ramos suggests the coaching staff expects a match where attacking options from the bench will be needed to flip momentum.
If the full-backs and the centre-back pairing can’t cover space cleanly early, Coritiba will smell it. But if Botafogo survives the opening waves, the Ramos factor could be decisive in the late phases—because that’s where these tactical margins usually get punished or rewarded.
O Veredito Jogo Hoje
Botafogo’s squad list is not just a roll call of names; it’s a tactical bet with risk baked in. Losing Ferraresi and Alex Telles forces the team to play with different safety rails, and that can make the defensive transition feel like a tightrope. But adding Chris Ramos plus Justino to the bench options gives Franclim Carvalho the kind of in-game answers that win ugly when the match gets messy. This one smells like a chess match where the substitutes might be the difference-maker.
Perguntas Frequentes
Why were Ferraresi, Mateo Ponte and Alex Telles left out of Botafogo’s squad list?
Ferraresi and Alex Telles are absent from the matchday group, while Mateo Ponte is also out, likely due to the foreigner limit constraints. Other listed absences include Marçal, Kaio Pantaleão, Joaquín Correa and Nathan Fernandes.
Can Chris Ramos be a starter against Coritiba?
He’s back as an option in the group for the first time in 2026, which opens the door for either a starting role or an impact substitute plan. The final call depends on how Botafogo wants to manage the match’s tempo and the gaps created by Coritiba’s pressing moments.
Does Justino’s return change anything in Botafogo’s matchday options?
Yes. Justino’s inclusion after under-20 action adds depth for tactical adjustments, particularly when Botafogo needs to protect defensive shape during the match. In a game where the defensive transition is under scrutiny, that extra flexibility matters.
