Volta Redonda vs. Avaí: A 1-1 Stalemate with Hidden Data Gems

Volta Redonda vs. Avaí: The Numbers Behind the Draw

Team Profiles: Roots and Recent Form

Volta Redonda, founded in 1976 in Rio de Janeiro, has long been a staple of Brazil’s lower divisions, known for their gritty defensive play. This season, they’ve hovered mid-table, with a mixed bag of results—5 wins, 4 draws, and 3 losses before this match. Their goalkeeper, Felipe Alves, has been a wall, conceding just 0.9 goals per game on average.

Avaí, hailing from Florianópolis (founded in 1923), brings flair to Serie B. Their attacking trio—led by Bissoli—has netted 15 goals collectively this season. Yet, defensive lapses have cost them points, evident in their leaky xGA (expected goals against) of 1.3 per match.

The Match: A Tale of Two Halves

The June 17th fixture started predictably: Avaí dominated possession (58%) but struggled to break Volta’s low block. A 32nd-minute penalty—converted coolly by Bissoli—gave Avaí the lead. But Volta’s Juninho capitalized on a set-piece scramble to equalize in the 67th minute. The xG? A telling 1.2 (Avaí) vs. 0.8 (Volta), reflecting Avaí’s wasted chances.

Key Insights from the Data

1. Set-Piece Dependency: Volta scored 40% of their goals this season from dead balls—a trend that continued here.
2. Avaí’s Pressing Flaws: Their high line allowed Volta 3 counterattacks exceeding 30 km/h sprint speeds (per Opta).
3. Goalkeeper Duel: Felipe Alves made 5 saves vs. Avaí’s Vladimir’s 2, justifying his post-match Man of the Match whispers.

What’s Next?

With both teams eyeing promotion playoffs, adjustments are key. Volta must diversify attacks beyond set pieces, while Avaí needs tighter transitions. For fans? Mark your calendars for the rematch on October 12th—it might just be a six-pointer.