2019 was a massive year for Furacão. With titles in Copa do Brasil and Suruga Cup, Athlético had arguably their best season ever, outperforming the previous year in which they won Sul-Americana.
Paranaenses have been establishing themselves as a force in the country, and finishing 5th, even after sacrificing a few league rounds in favour of other competitions, is certainly a step forward in that affirmation.
Planning ahead, careful investment and a very decent work on the youth production became evident this season. Having used nothing but reserves during the regional competitions is just a good example of the singular approach from the club.
Having lost Tiago Nunes for the next season is a big upset and the club’s management abilities will be tested during the process of finding his replacement. In itself, the fact that Nunes preferred to go to Corinthians is also meaningful of the still existing gap to big teams.
Goalkeeper Aderbar Santos (who got a call by Tite during the year) and Leo P. at the back, Ruben’s goalscoring abilities and the chance-creating skills of Rony, Nikão and Cirino were a good support to Bruno Guimarães superior talent in midfield.
The already announced departures of coach Nunes and key players Guimarães, Cirino and M. Rúben will be hard to supplant in 2020.
