Fluminense to miss striker John Kennedy for Bahia clash

Fluminense forward John Kennedy will sit out the upcoming Campeonato Brasileiro match against Bahia on 29 June at the Maracanã, serving a two‑game suspension after the incident versus Bragantino. The striker has been a key contributor, scoring 14 goals this season and helping the team achieve a 64.2 % win rate when he starts (15 wins in 27 matches). Fluminense’s performance dips to a 54.6 % win rate when he does not play (five wins in 11 matches). While Kennedy returns from suspension, he faces competition from new signing Hulk, German Cano and the club’s record signing Rodrigo Castillo, and he continues to attract interest from Italy’s Lazio.

Bahia forward Erick Pulga said the squad feels more confident after a recent friendly against the same opponent, noting the importance of the preparation period and the team’s recent five‑point haul from nine games. Pulga expressed optimism about the upcoming visit to the Maracanã, aiming to build on the confidence gained during the break.