Promoted Teams in the Brasileiro Serie A 2023 Season

Cruzeiro

Cruzeiro, locally known as Raposa, were promoted to the Serie A division having won 23 of their 38 fixtures in the 2022 Serie B season. The side, prominently owned by ‘O Fenômeno’ Ronaldo Nazário, have always had a respectful history in Brazil. The team has won the Serie A trophy four times, in 1966, 2003, 2013 and most recently in 2014. It won the Serie B championship for the first-time last season, ending the campaign with 78 points.

Raposa have replicated their title winning form from last season in the top-flight. Having played six games, the team have won four times and lost twice. They are currently fourth in the league, but rank as number one for an away team. They have played three times away, winning twice and losing once. Their away form displays the team have won six points, scoring eight goals and only conceding twice. Their most recent away win came in form of a 4-0 scoreline at Arena Independência, the home stadium of América Mineiro.

On the 19^th of March 2023, Cruzeiro agreed to mutually part ways with Uruguayan head coach, Paulo Pezzolano. The following day, Raposa appointed the former Portuguese forward, Pepa in charge. Pepa, alongside his captain and goalkeeper, Rafael Cabral, are driving the team forward in the table. The team is focused on defending, with standout performances from the captain and main defender, Marlon.

Grêmio

Grêmio, colloquially known as ‘Imortal Tricolor’, secured qualification to the top-flight with 65 points. They finished the season with 17 wins, conceding only 26 goals. The side, managed by Renato Gaúcho, will be looking to win their third Serie A division, having previously won the competition in 1981 and 1996. They have also come close finishing as runners-up in 1982, 2008 and 2013.

Grêmio will be aiming to avoid relegation back to the Serie B at all costs. The team currently sits in eleventh spot, having won two of their opening six matches. The other results include two draws and two losses. The side have had an up-and-down start to the Brasileiro Serie A 2023 season, failing to show any sign of progression in the top division.

One of the most noteworthy actions that the club have done is complete the signing of Luis Suárez. The former FC Barcelona and Liverpool striker has always been one of the best forwards in European football. He helped Barcelona clinch the UEFA Champions League in 2015 and more recently won the Spanish La Liga in 2021 with Atlético Madrid.

Suárez has failed to make any significant contribution to the Serie A league. Until now, he has started five of the six opening matches and played every minute for Imortal Tricolor. However, the most he has contributed is a single goal, scored in a 3-3 draw at home against RB Bragantino. While the forward is yet to make any impression on the Serie A league, he has helped Grêmio in other competitions, most recently scoring a 79^th minute equalizer for the team in a 1-1 draw with Cruzeiro in the Copa do Brasil.

Bahia

Bahia, locally known as ‘Tricolor’, were the third team to be promoted from the Serie B 2022 season. They finished third in the league on 62 points, winning 17 of their 38 matches. The Brazilian team are two-time Serie A winners, having won the trophy in 1959 and 1988.

In the 2023 Serie A division, they have failed to live up to expectations, thus far. Bahia have won two of their opening six matches, losing the other four. Their most impressive matches include back-to-back league wins against Vasco and Coritiba. However, aside from those two wins, they have lost their remaining matches against RB Bragantino, Botafogo, Santos and Flamengo. During their most recent 3-2 loss at home against Flamengo, Tricolor saw two of its players sent off in the 74^th minute. The two players to receive a second yellow card were Rezende and Kanu.

Although Bahia have not yet hit the ground running in the league, they are nowhere near the worst team to feature. The team has a fantastic crop of talent, led by the Portuguese manager, Renato Paiva, who joined the club on the 6^th of December 2022. Paiva will trust his on-field sergeant and captain, Danielzinho, to make sure all of the players are performing and giving it all for the club.

Danielzinho, alongside Biel and Thaciano, make up for an interesting and creative midfield trio. The team has been freshly promoted to the top-flight, however, they appear to be far too talented to be relegated back to Serie B.

Vasco da Gama

Vasco da Gama, colloquially known as ‘Vasco’, were the fourth and final team promoted from the Serie B division. The team finished the league on 62 points, level with Bahia, however, had a goal difference of only +12.

Vasco have won only one of their opening six fixtures, drawing three times and losing twice. Their only win came away at Atlético Mineiro, defeating the top-half team 2-1 on the opening game of the season. Since that first match, they have failed to defeat Palmeiras, Bahia, Fluminense, Coritiba and Santos. However, a 2-2 draw with defending champions Palmeiras and a 1-1 draw away at Fluminense are not the worst results in the world.

Vasco are managed by Maurício Barbieri, who took over in December 2022. Their captain, Léo Pelé, joined the club in 2023 and has featured in 18 games, scoring a single goal for the team. The standout player of the side this season is goalkeeper Léo Jardim, who has helped keep the scoreline down, despite conceding 7 goals in their opening six matches.

Promoted Teams in the Serie A

As the Brasileiro Serie A 2023 season unfolds, the promoted teams have each been presented with their unique set of challenges and opportunities. The top-flight division reflects the pulsating and unpredictable nature of football, as the four teams aim to succeed in their respective goals in Serie A this season.