Cruzeiro will host Brasileiro with both teams specialist in draws in the Brasileiro. Last time out, Ze Ricardo’s team held Cuiaba to a scoreless draw. Their opponents are starting a new era under ex-Brazil manager Tite. They also earned a point by drawing 1-1 with Corinthians.
Preview (Cruzeiro vs. Flamengo)
Consolidation has been Cruzeiro’s focus over the past few months. Cruzeiro spent the previous three years in Serie B. They culminated the 2022 season that helped the team win the league title and return to the top level. Prior to the match this past weekend, there wasn’t much separating Cuiaba and Cruzeiro. Cruzeiro played out their second consecutive low-scoring tie after a 1-1 draw against America Mineiro.
Cruzeiro is now in a solid 13th place in the standings after their 10th draw of the season. A draw would be sufficient for Ze Ricardo’s team to advance to the group stage of the Copa Sudamericana. Cruzeiro are only four points clear of the four-team relegation zone. They have just one win to their name from their past 12 Brasileiro games. It was a 3-0 away victory over Santos last month. They may find their hopes of a European adventure rapidly replaced by dread of a relegation scrap.
Ze Ricardo’s team hasn’t won in their last six home games, drawing five of them while scoring just six goals all season, the fewest in the league. However, they have often made up for their offensive shortcomings with defensive toughness, conceding just twice in their last five Brasileiro games. Flamengo has a history of making one-pointers, and on Saturday night, they kept Corinthians from overtaking its impending hosts in the Brasileiro standings. Former Marseille player Gerson scored the game’s opening goal before leaving the game injured. At that point, Mario Jorge turned the team over to Tite. However, Flamengo bounced back before the month was out by defeating Bahia 1-0. As they prepare to face Cruzeiro on Thursday, Jorge’s club has eight points from four away games without a loss.
Team News
Ze Ricardo was relieved that no Cruzeiro players were called up for national team duty this month. His squad’s ongoing injury problems got worse when right-back William was substituted in the first half of their match with Cuiaba. The defender was involved in a brutal head-on collision with the opponent’s left-back Uendel. There is no assurance that he will play on Thursday. Rafael Bilu is still recovering from an Achilles rupture, Wesley Gasolina, Ramiro, and Rafael Elias all have knee ailments, and Helibelton Palacios should be ready to fill in for William.
While ex-Cruzeiro player Giorgian de Arrascaeta is currently representing Uruguay and won’t be reuniting with his old team, Flamengo’s Gerson was deemed fit enough to play for Brazil this month despite leaving the field injured nine minutes after scoring against Corinthians. Fortunately for new head coach Tite, he has minimal injury concerns to deal with for his first game.
However, Allan’s catastrophic ankle injury has forced the midfielder to miss the remainder of the season, while defenders Guillermo Varela and Gabriel Noga are still out with knee problems. Even though Flamengo may experience the new manager bounce, international call-ups have left Tite lacking in goal threats in the middle of the field, and Cruzeiro is rarely penetrated at will on their home ground. Flamengo’s defense should have no issue stopping the shot-shy Cruzeiro assault while stealing a goal or two at the other end to start the Tite era in a successful manner. The hosts, though, have been lacking a clinical edge in front of the home fans for the whole season.
Cruzeiro 0 – 1 Flamengo
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