After losing the final of the Copa Sudamericana last Saturday (23) to Racing-ARG following a 3-1 defeat at La Nueva Olla in Asunción, Paraguay, Cruzeiro targets the midweek game against Grêmio, for the Brazilian Championship. At first, coach Fernando Diniz will not have any major problems assembling the team.
This is because there are no new medical absences, and incumbents are not suspended. Cruzeiro and Grêmio will face each other in the 35th round, at 9pm on Wednesday (27th), at Mineirão, in Belo Horizonte.
Two players are suspended for their third yellow cards, but are considered reserves: Kaiki Bruno, left-back, and Ramiro, midfielder. This way, Diniz will be able to repeat the team that entered the field in the “Sula” final.
However, there is a doubt. Diniz will have to choose whether to keep Walace as midfielder or whether to bring in Lucas Silva. Wallace gave way to Lucas Silva just 29 minutes into the first half of the final and was criticized for his performance in the final.
No DM
Two players, both attackers, are in the medical department and should remain absent. Rafa Silva is recovering from a thigh muscle injury, while Argentine Juan Ignacio Dinenno will only return in 2025.
The Argentine center forward has been recovering since August from surgery on his right knee, after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament.
On the table
The team is trying to improve its spirit as it is still looking for a place in the 2025 Copa Libertadores through the Brasileirão. The team is in seventh place, with 47 points in 34 games, and for now is the last one to qualify for the next “Liberta”.
Right behind Cruzeiro are Bahia and Corinthians, in eighth and ninth place, with the same score, but one more game. The teams are below Raposa based on the tiebreaker criteria – goal difference and victories, respectively.
Grêmio is trying to move further and further away from the relegation zone for the 2025 Series B. Tricolor Gaúcho is 14th, with 40 points, 3 more than Criciúma, 17th and which opens the Z4.
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Ah, the beautiful game! Where emotions can swing like a pendulum and teams can go from glory to slightly less glorious in a matter of weeks! We’ve got Cruzeiro fresh from their Copa Sudamericana heartbreak, looking to pick up the pieces and don the kit again. They must be thinking, “Well, at least we didn’t lose to a team named after a spicy sauce!”
Now, Cruzeiro takes on Grêmio in the Brazilian Championship this Wednesday. By the way, can I just say, Brazil has almost as many football leagues as it has coffee shops? I mean, they both fuel the country—one with caffeine and the other with some good ol’ footie passion!
Coach Fernando Diniz isn’t facing any major dramas, which is delightful news for Cruzeiro fans—unless you consider having to decide between Walace and Lucas Silva’s performances as drama. I mean, what’s next? A reality show about who gets the last slice of pizza in the locker room? “It’s a knife-edge decision! Will Walace clutch the prize or will Lucas swoop in like a ravenous hawk?”
As for injuries, we have Rafa Silva nursing a sore thigh and Dinenno plotting his touchdown return from a knee op—he might as well be on that recovery plan by The Rock with the way he’s taking his sweet time! But with no major injuries to the starting lineup, it feels like they’re in good shape, ready to pounce on those Grêmio players who are three sheets to the wind, desperately trying to stay out of the dreaded relegation zone.
Cruzeiro is sitting in seventh on the table, a precarious position while they try to edge their way into the Libertadores. I’ll tell you what, positioning on that table is like sitting in a theater—if you aren’t in the front row, you might miss all the best action. In this case, the “action” is a ticket to Copa Libertadores—it’s like we’re fighting for the last slice at a family party, except nobody’s crying yet!
Meanwhile, Grêmio finds itself just outside the danger zone—14th place isn’t as comforting as a full roast chicken, but it’s better than being the last sad piece on the plate, right? They’ll be hoping to give Cruzeiro a right run for their money, or at least a decent game to prolong the tension before it all crumbles into another meme-worthy moment in Brazilian football!
So, as we gear up for Wednesday’s clash, let’s keep our expectations like a well-fried Brazilian coxinha—hot and savory! Will Cruzeiro bounce back like a well-placed football, or could Grêmio give their relegation woes the boot? Either way, this should prove to be a match worth tuning into! Grab your popcorn, folks; it’s going to be full of thrills, chills, and possibly a few overzealous tackle fouls! Who’s ready for this rollercoaster ride?
Following a disappointing 3-1 loss to Racing-ARG in the Copa Sudamericana final held at La Nueva Olla in Asunción, Paraguay on Saturday (23), Cruzeiro’s focus now shifts to a crucial midweek clash against Grêmio in the Brazilian Championship. Coach Fernando Diniz appears to be in a favorable position regarding player availability, as he is not facing significant issues when assembling his lineup.
The squad is bolstered by the absence of any fresh medical concerns, and all starting players are eligible to play, as there are currently no suspensions for them. This much-anticipated encounter between Cruzeiro and Grêmio will take place in the 35th round of the Brasileirão, kicking off at 9pm on Wednesday (27th) at the iconic Mineirão Stadium in Belo Horizonte.
Despite the good news, two squad members, Kaiki Bruno, a left-back, and midfielder Ramiro, are set to miss the match due to accumulating three yellow cards. However, their statuses as backups mean that Diniz can confidently replicate the starting eleven that took the field in the “Sula” final against Racing.
One notable decision lies ahead for Diniz, who must choose between retaining Walace as his midfielder or opting for Lucas Silva. This choice is complicated by Walace’s early exit in the final, where he was replaced by Lucas Silva just 29 minutes into the match, sparking criticism of his performance on that pivotal day.
No DM
As the squad prepares, they will continue to miss two attackers due to injuries. Rafa Silva is currently in recovery from a thigh muscle injury, while Argentine striker Juan Ignacio Dinenno is not expected to return to action until 2025, following an extensive rehabilitation process after knee surgery that took place in August for a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
On the table
Motivated to boost their morale, Cruzeiro is striving for a spot in the 2025 Copa Libertadores through their ongoing campaign in the Brasileirão. Presently, the team finds itself in seventh place with 47 points amassed from 34 matches, making them the last team to qualify for the next Copa Libertadores.
Trailing closely are Bahia and Corinthians, positioned in eighth and ninth place, respectively, with an identical points tally but having played one more match. Their standings are dictated by tiebreaker rules—goal difference and total victories, which favor Cruzeiro at this juncture.
On the other side, Grêmio aims to distance itself from the shadow of relegation as they seek to secure their place in Brazil’s top flight. Currently in 14th place, the Tricolor Gaúcho holds 40 points, leaving them just three points clear of Criciúma, who sit in 17th and occupy the relegation zone.
How might Grêmio’s defensive strategy impact the outcome of their match against Cruzeiro?
**Host:** Welcome to our discussion! It seems Cruzeiro is really feeling the pressure after their Copa Sudamericana loss. How do you think they’ll rebound against Grêmio this Wednesday?
**Guest:** Absolutely, it’s a tough spot for them. Losing a final is never easy, and it can weigh heavily on the players’ morale. However, facing Grêmio could be a good opportunity to shake off that disappointment. With the absence of major injuries and suspensions for key players, they might just find their footing again.
**Host:** That’s a good point! And Coach Fernando Diniz seems to have a relatively seamless path in terms of squad selection. How important do you think his decision on Walace or Lucas Silva will be?
**Guest:** It’s huge! The dynamics in midfield can greatly affect the game flow. Walace’s early exit in the final raised eyebrows, so if Diniz chooses Lucas Silva, it could invigorate the team. It’s not just a tactical decision but also one that could impact team confidence moving forward.
**Host:** Right! And with both Kaiki Bruno and Ramiro being out due to yellow card suspensions, it seems like Diniz has to adapt without them. Do you think this will affect their performance against Grêmio?
**Guest:** Since both are considered reserves, it shouldn’t disrupt the team’s core strength too much. Diniz can replicate the starting lineup that faced Racing, which brings some familiarity back to the pitch. However, the mental aspect of bouncing back from a tough loss could still be a factor.
**Host:** Absolutely! What about Grêmio? They’re trying to avoid falling into the relegation zone. How do you see their strategy against Cruzeiro playing out?
**Guest:** Grêmio will likely focus on solid defensive tactics, especially given their precarious position in the league. They’ll want to stifle Cruzeiro’s attack while hoping to capitalize on any mistakes. Every match counts for them, and even a draw might be seen as a positive result.
**Host:** Definitely! With Cruzeiro sitting seventh and Grêmio in fourteenth, the stakes are high for both. What are your predictions for the match?
**Guest:** I think it will be a tightly contested game. Cruzeiro may have the edge at home, especially if they can channel their frustrations positively. A narrow victory for Cruzeiro seems likely, but with football, you never know! Grêmio could surprise them, especially if they play a disciplined game.
**Host:** Well, it certainly sounds like an exciting matchup ahead! Let’s see how both teams adjust and respond to the unique pressures they’re facing. Thanks for the insightful discussion!
