Page d'accueil de OneFootball Recherche Paramètres Se connecter Se connecterS'inscrireGabigol secures Cruzeiro win over Flamengo at the Mineirão | OneFootballOneFootball This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here. Cruzeiro versus Flamengo had one of THOSE scripts at Mineirão. Kaio Jorge and Arrascaeta - who are going through great moments - ensured the tie. And then Gabigol, him again, secured the 2-1 celestial victory already at 50' of the final stage. Game that was valid for the seventh round of the competition and played in front of 52,792 people. It had been ten years since the Fox's victories over the Red-Black in BR games. Cruzeiro2Flamengo1HierFin du matchKaio Jorge on the rise 🔥 There's been plenty of confidence for the Fox's number 19 Sixth goal in six games playing as a starter since he gained that status And he almost scored another after a shot that Rossi deflected onto the crossbar Christian also had a great chance after a good start to the celestial game The Red-Black's greatest possession of the ball wasn't translating into great chances Léo Ortiz was the first to bring real danger And it only took one well-worked play for Flamengo to tie with Arrascaeta who didn't celebrate after scoring against his former club (44') Sixth goal from the isolated top scorer in the Brasileirão And a first half with a lot of intensity at the Gigante da Pampulha After a period without the same rhythm seen in the initial stage, the duel heated up again. And thanks to Cruzeiro Rossi became the protagonist by saving Matheus Pereira's and Kaio Jorge's attempts Filipe Luís's first substitutions didn't take effect The response from the Rio team came at 41' when Cássio made another great intervention to prevent Bruno Henrique's goal The minutes were of exchanges from both sides - including Gabigol's entry Léo Pereira committed a penalty on Eduardo but took advantage of the rebound to score against his former club Cruzeiro confirms it's going through a "new moment" by ending the long Red-Black series in the Brasileirão Palmeiras had taken the lead by reaching 16 Both will focus on their respective South American competitions the Fox - still zeroed - will visit leader and 100% Mushuc Runa for the South American Cup will face leader Central Córdoba for the Libertadores They will return to play in the Brasileirão next weekend Saturday (10), Flamengo will host Bahia. And on Sunday (11), Cruzeiro will be a visitor against Sport À lire également😯 Several favourites disappoint in first legs of Brazil Cup third round PSG/Arsenal – Dembélé, le suspense est quasiment terminé Ce mercredi, le Paris Saint-Germain affronte Arsenal au Parc des Princes en demi-finale retour (victoire 0-1 à l’aller) de la Ligue des Champions 2024-2025 (coup d’envoi à 21h, diffusion sur... 📸 Les 5️⃣ célébrations mythiques d'Alexander-Arnold à Liverpool Ce lundi matin, Trent Alexander-Arnold a officialisé son départ, libre, à la fin de la saison, de Liverpool, club qu'il a rejoint à l'âge de six ans, en 2004.Le numéro de... Que va apporter Alexander-Arnold au Real Madrid ? Le Real Madrid cible Alexander-Arnold pour combler un manque qui date depuis quelques années au poste de latéral droit. L’Anglais, reconnu pour son apport offensif exceptionnel, représenterait une alternative majeure... when he appeared in the starting lineup for a Campeonato Mineiro group game against Democrata GV Marquinhos dropped to the bench for the subsequent semi-final tie against America-MG then had a month break before the Brazilian Serie A kicked off in late March In their first six league games of the new campaign he’s made zero starts and four substitute appearances totalling 37 minutes on the pitch The 22-year-old has also been a fringe player in the early stages of the Copa Sudamericana only making one cameo appearance from the bench in three games This week’s Copa do Brasil game broke the trend with Marquinhos starting and playing the full 90 minutes of a 2-0 win over Vila Nova FC the Arsenal loanee surpassed his combined minutes from every other fixture he’s played in since February 16th Unfortunately, it’s difficult to say with any confidence that a cup start is a sign of anything more than Marquinhos remaining a rotation player for Cruzeiro A league start in a win would be more meaningful but the early rounds of Brazilian cup competitions are often viewed as opportunities to rest starters Marquinhos will have to hope that the positive result for his team puts him in contention for future chances in the league 2025) - The Houston Dash signed defender Rebeca Costa da Silva from Cruzeiro for an agreed upon transfer fee The 19-year-old will join the team through the 2027 season with a mutual option for 2028 Rebeca will occupy an international roster spot pending receipt of her International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa Brazil native is the ninth player to join the Dash for the 2025 season “Adding Rebeca to the team was a priority as we evaluated a number of opportunities during the primary transfer window and we are thrilled to add a player that brings both versatility and depth to the roster,” Dash President of Women’s Soccer “She is ready for a new opportunity that will challenge her both as a player and as an individual as she moves to a new country for the first time We look forward to supporting her during this transition and welcoming her to the environment and culture we’re establishing in Houston.” Rebeca spent the last two years with Cruzeiro and helped the team win back-to-back Campeonato Mineiro (state cup) titles She appeared in 25 games for Cruzeiro and scored two goals for the club The defender also tallied two assists for Cruzeiro and helped the team reach the quarterfinals of the Campeonato Brasileiro de Futebol Feminino in 2024 “I am excited for this new opportunity and to give my all for the club on the pitch and I want to contribute to the team’s future success,” Rebeca said “I look forward to this new experience with my teammates and the technical staff plus meeting all of the fans at the stadium very soon.” The defender began her professional career with Fortaleza Esporte Clube in 2020 She initially joined the club’s futsal team in 2020 and spent the next two seasons with their first team Rebeca has represented Brazil at the youth levels and joined the U-20 squad at the U-20 FIFA World Cup last year Brazil won all three of their group stage matches in the competition and reached the quarterfinals where they faced North Korea Para ler em Português, clique aqui Per leggere in italiano, clicca qui. Do you know what it feels like to be a promise?  I like that word, waste. Not only because of how it sounds, but because I’m obsessed with wasting my life. I'm fine like this, in frantic waste. I enjoy this stigma.  I’m not into crime, but, of course, I could have been.  I always go to the same place in my neighbourhood, the Naná’s kiosk. If you want to meet me, stop by.  I drink every other day, yes. (And the other days, too.) How does a person like me get to the point of drinking almost every day?  I don’t like giving explanations to others. But here’s one. I drink because it’s not easy to be a promise that remains in debt. And it gets even worse at my age.  Sam Robles/The Players' TribuneThey call me Emperor.  A guy who left the favela to receive the nickname Emperor in Europe. How do you explain that, man? I didn’t understand it until today. OK, so maybe I did some things right after all.  A lot of people didn’t understand why I abandoned the glory of the stadiums to sit in my old neighbourhood, drinking to oblivion. Because at some point I wanted to, and it’s the kind of decision that’s difficult to go back on.  But I don’t want to talk about that now. I want you to join me on a ride.  I have lived in Barra da Tijuca, a fancy part of Rio, for many years. But my belly button is buried in the favela.  Jump on. Let’s go there by motorbike. That’s how I feel at ease. Sam Robles/The Players' TribuneI’ll let the right people know that we’re coming. Today you will understand what Adriano really does when he is with his buddies in a very special place. No b.s., or fake newspaper headlines. The real deal. The truth.  Come on, man. It’s already dawn. Pretty soon the traffic will be at a standstill. You didn’t know, did you? From here to Penha via the Yellow Line it’s quick, brother. But only if it’s at this time.  I told you so. There it is, right at the entrance to the community. The Ordem e Progresso pitch. Damn it, I played more football here than at the San Siro. You can bet that, bro. To enter and leave Vila Cruzeiro you have to pass in front of the field. Football imposes itself on our lives. Here my father was truly happy. Almir Leite Ribeiro. You can call him Mirinho, as he was known by everyone. A guy of status. You think I’m lying? Ask anyone.  Of course. Back in 2002, I came on vacation from Italy and did nothing else. I would take a taxi from the airport straight here to Cruzeiro. Holy crap. I didn’t even go to my mother’s house before. Sam Robles/The Players' TribuneOne of Hang’s rivalries was against Chapa Quente. We even played an amateur’s championship final against them. I was already at Parma. My father spoke to me every day. “I’ve already signed you up for the championship, son. The guys are shaking. I’ve been telling them for a month, “My big black dude is coming.”' And they reply, “That’s not fair, Mirinho.” I don't care. You’re going to play.” With a small plastic cup of Coca-Cola in his hand (the only drink he liked), my father announced the Hang’s starting eleven. “Hangrismar in goal. Lemongrass, Richard, and Cachaça in defense.” Damn, Lemongrass was a bitter dude. He complained about everything. Richard had a kick that was as powerful — or even more — than mine. Everyone standing in the wall would be shitting themselves when he’d go up to take the free kick..  Crézio on the right wing and Jorginho on the left, our number seven.  In attack, Frank, Dingo, the owner of the number 10, and Adriano.” You could play in the Champions League with this team.  I'll paint the picture for you. Hot weather in Rio, typical of the end of the year. Loud music. Samba.  Smoking hot brunettes walking up and down. Father in heaven, bless us all. There’s nothing better on the planet, bro. We won the final. Fireworks throughout the favela. A beautiful display. Really amazing. It was also on this pitch that I learned how to drink. My dad was crazy, man. He didn’t like to see anyone drinking, much less kids.  I remember the first time he caught me with a glass in my hand. I was 14 years old, and everybody in our community was celebrating. They had finally installed floodlights at the Ordem e Progresso pitch, so they organized a game with a barbecue. When he saw me with the glass in my hand, he crossed the field at the hurried pace of someone who can’t afford to miss the bus. “Stop it right there,” he shouted. Short and thick, as usual. I said, “Oh, man.” My aunts and my mother quickly caught on and tried to calm things down before the situation got worse. “Cmon, Mirinho, he’s with his little friends, he’s not going to do anything crazy. He’s just there laughing, having fun, leave him alone, Adriano is growing up too,” said my mother. The old man went crazy. He snatched the cup from my hand and threw it in the gutter. “I didn’t teach you that, son,” he said.  All the lessons I learned from my father were like this, in gestures. We didn’t have deep conversations. The old man wasn’t one to philosophize or give moral lessons, no. His daily uprightness and the respect that others had for him were what impressed me most.   My father’s death changed my life forever. To this day, it’s an issue that I still haven’t been able to resolve. The whole shit started here, in the community that I care about so much.  Vila Cruzeiro is not the best place in the world. Quite the opposite. Sam Robles/The Players' TribuneIt’s a really dangerous place. Life is hard. People suffer. Many friends have to follow other paths. Look around and you will understand. If I stop to count all the people I know who have passed away violently, we’ll be here talking for days and days…. May our heavenly father bless them. You can ask anyone here. Those who have the opportunity end up going to live somewhere else.  Damn it, my father was shot in the head at a party in Cruzeiro. Stray bullet. He had nothing to do with the mess. The bullet entered his forehead and lodged in the back of his head. The doctors had no way of removing it. After that, my family’s life was never the same. My father started having frequent seizures.  Have you ever seen a person suffering an epileptic seizure in front of you? You don’t want to see it, brother.  I was 10 years old when my father was shot. I grew up living with his crises. Mirinho was never able to work again. The responsibility of supporting the house fell entirely on my mother’s back. And what did she do? She faced it. She counted on the help of our neighbors. Our family was there to help too. Here everyone lives with little. Nobody has more than anyone else. And even so, my mother was not alone. There was always someone giving her a helping hand.  A neighbor showed up with a big box of eggs one day and said, “Rosilda, sell them to raise some spare change. That way you can buy a snack for Adriano.” But she didn’t have the money to pay her neighbor. “Don’t worry, sister. Sell the eggs and pay me back later.” It was like that, man. I swear to you.  Another neighbor got her a gas cylinder. “Rosilda, sell this one. Half is yours, half is mine.” And there my mother would try to raise some spare change by working hard every day. My father stayed at home. And my mother ran for two, while my grandmother took me to training.  Courtesy of the Ribeiro FamilyOne of my aunts got a job that allowed her to receive food tickets. She handed the vouchers to my mother. “Rosilda, it’s not much, but it’s enough to at least buy Adriano a cookie.”  Damn it, that talk made me really thirsty. Let’s stop at my friend Hermes’s shack. That’s behind the court. There! There in the alley.  My grandmother lived here. Dona Vanda, what a character. I already told you about her, right? “Adi-rano, my son! Come and eat popcorn.” Grandma can’t say my name right to this day. I stayed at her house every day when I was a kid. My mother, my father and I lived on Street 9, which is on the top of the hill. Do you want to go up there and see? It’s complicated. There’s a lot of activity going on. We better stay down here. The favela has certain rules that we need to respect.  When I was a child, my mother would go down to work and leave me with Grandma. She took me to school and then to Flamengo. My hustle started early, there’s no denying it.  Hermes, my friend! Pull the dominoes for us. Be careful, he steals like hell. Keep an eye open, huh. Hermes is sneaky. Sit here, Jorginho. Let us play dominoes, you can start. Sam Robles/The Players' TribuneDo you see the movement of people around here? And the noise? Damn, the favela is very different. We open the door and find our neighbor straight away. Put your foot out and there’s the owner of the store on the street, the aunt selling pastries with a bag in her hand, the barber’s cousin calling you to play football. Everyone knows each other. Of course, one house next to another, right?  That was one of the things that surprised me the most when I moved to Europe. The streets are silent. People don’t greet each other. Everybody stays apart. The first Christmas I spent in Milan was hard for me, man.  The end of the year is a very important time for my family. We bring everyone together. It’s always been like this. Street 9 was crowded because Mirinho was the man, right? The tradition began there. At New Year’s Eve too, it was the favela gathered outside my house.  When I went to Inter, I felt a very strong blow in the first winter. Christmas came and I stayed in my apartment alone. It’s freezing cold in Milan. That depression that hits during the freezing months in northern Italy. Everyone in dark clothes. The deserted streets. The days are very short. The weather is wet. I didn’t feel like doing anything, man. All this combined with homesickness and I felt like shit. Still, Seedorf was an amazing friend. He and his wife made supper for those closest to them on Christmas Eve and invited me. Wow, this brother has a great level. Imagine the Christmas reception at his house. An elegance that you gotta see. Everything was very beautiful and delicious, but truth to be told, I wanted to be in Rio de Janeiro.  I didn’t even spend much time with them. I apologized, said goodbye quickly and went back to my apartment. I called home. “Hi, Mom. Merry Christmas,” I said. “My son! I miss you. Merry Christmas. Everyone is here, the only one missing is you,” she replied.  Courtesy of the Ribeiro FamilyYou could hear the laughter in the background. The loud sound with the drums that my aunts play to remember the time when they were girls. What? Those there dance as if they were at the ball to this day. My mother is also the same. I could see the scene in front of me just by listening to the noise over the phone. Damn, I started crying right away.  “Are you OK, my son?” my mother asked. “Yes, yes. I just came back from a friend's house,” I said. “Ah, so have you already had dinner? Mom is still setting the table,” she said. “There will even be pastries today.” Damn, that was a low blow. Grandma’s pastry is the best in the world. I cried a f***ing lot.  I started sobbing. “OK, Mom. Enjoy, then. Have a good dinner. Don’t worry, everything is fine here.” Do you want to climb to my friend Tota’s rooftop? There is my refuge. I’ll call the bikes. We take our booze and I show you the entire view of the complex. Come on, man! Sam Robles/The Players' TribuneLet me turn on tutufi. Tutufi, damn it. You don’t understand, do you? To connect your cellphone to the speaker, shit. How do you say? Bluetooth? Oh, I don't know how to say those words in English, no, damn it. I only studied until seventh grade! In the favela we have to turn it up loud, man. We only hear music like that here.  There is Grota, there is Chatuba, here is Cruzeiro. It’s all the same thing, really. One glued to the other. But they are different communities from the Penha complex. And that there is the Church of Penha, high up, blessing us all. Yes, I walk around with the church hanging on my neck in this medallion here. Do you like it? Then put it on to catch the wave. I am baptizing you into our community. What a morale boost, huh?  When I “fled” Inter and left Italy, I came to hide here. I went all over the complex for three days. Nobody found me. There is no way to. Rule number one of the favela. Keep your mouth shut. Do you think someone would snitch me? No f***ing rats here, bro. The Italian press went crazy. The Rio police even carried out an operation to “rescue me.” They said I had been kidnapped. You’re kidding me, right? Imagine that someone is going to do me any harm here … me, a favela child.  Like it or not, I needed the freedom. I couldn’t stand it anymore, always having to keep an eye out for cameras whenever I went out in Italy, whoever was coming my way, whether a reporter, a shady hustler, a scammer, or some other son-of-a-bitch. In my community, we don’t have that. When I’m here, no one from outside knows what I’m doing. That was their problem. They didn’t understand why I went to the favela. It wasn’t because of drinking, or women, much less because of drugs. It was for freedom. It was because I wanted peace. I wanted to live. I wanted to be human again. Just a little bit. That’s the damn truth. So what? Sam Robles/The Players' TribuneI tried to do what they wanted. I bargained with Roberto Mancini. I tried hard with José Mourinho. I cried on Moratti’s shoulder. But I couldn’t do what they asked. I stayed well for a few weeks, avoided the booze, trained like a horse, but there was always a relapse. Over and over again. Everyone blasted me. I couldn’t take it anymore.  People said a lot of shit because they were all embarrassed. “Wow, Adriano stopped earning seven million euros. Did he give up everything for this shit? That’s what I heard most. But they don’t know why I did it. I did it because I wasn’t well. I needed my space to do what I wanted to do.  You see it now for yourself. Is there something wrong with how we’re hanging out here?? No. Sorry to disappoint. But the only thing I look for in Vila Cruzeiro is peace. Here I walk barefoot and shirtless, just wearing shorts. I play dominoes, sit on the curb, remember my childhood stories, listen to music, dance with my friends, and sleep on the floor.  Courtesy of the Ribeiro FamilyWhat more would I want?  I don’t even bring women here. Much less do I mess with girls who are from my community. Because I just want to be at peace and remember my essence.  Vila Cruzeiro is not the best place in the world.  Letter to My BrotherEndrickThank God for FootballFrom uni student to Manchester City to Ballon d’Or finalist Dear UnitedA letter from Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes: “This club is more than just something that I can put into a nice quote for social media It is something that I care about deeply.” in his own words: “If you ever question my commitment to Man United It’s like somebody questioning my entire identity © 2025 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved 2024) — Inter&Co Stadium will officially help the FC Series commemorate its 10-year anniversary in 2025 as the event hearkens back to its Florida Cup roots next January with a special edition featuring three major Brazilian soccer clubs – São Paulo Atlético Mineiro and Cruzeiro – across three matches at the downtown Orlando venue Inter&Co will kick off Inter&Co Soccer Week which will feature the three FC Series matches at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando: “We are very excited to again collaborate with our partners at FC Series to host three excellent matches at Inter&Co Stadium welcoming a trio of top Brazilian clubs in addition to participation from our Orlando City Lions,” said Orlando City SC President of Business Operations Jarrod Dillon “We are especially grateful to our partners at Inter&Co for supporting this week of soccer including the opportunity to compete for the first-ever Inter&Co Trophy against a top side in Atlético Mineiro.” The January 2025 lineup will kick off with a Brazilian football classic as São Paulo and Cruzeiro start their respective preseasons with a friendly on Wednesday That match at Inter&Co Stadium will be Cruzeiro’s first contest in the U.S in 11 years and marks the club’s FC Series debut will be participating in the FC Series for the third time after winning the Florida Cup tournament in 2017 and returning in 2019 when it faced Ajax from the Netherlands and Eintracht Frankfurt from Germany The club will also compete in a second FC Series match on Jan 19 at Chase Stadium against an opponent to be announced Atlético and Cruzeiro will play the first "Superclássico Mineiro" ever hosted in the U.S The match will mark Atlético’s fourth year participating in the FC Series after winning the 2016 Florida Cup and returning in 2017 and 2018 Atlético will then conclude its 2025 preseason slate with a match at Orlando City on Jan The winner of this matchup will take home the inaugural Inter&Co Trophy which will be contested annually during the FC Series at Inter&Co Stadium including broadcast details and remaining participants Presale information for all matches is available now at FCSeries.com Tickets will go on sale to the public starting Thursday “We are thrilled to welcome three of Brazil’s most prestigious soccer clubs to Orange County for a collection matches at Inter&Co Stadium as FC Series celebrates a decade of impact in Central Florida next January including a classic Brazilian rivalry game and a showcase featuring hometown team Orlando City will attract passionate soccer fans from every corner of our community and many visitors from South America and around the world Orlando has consistently demonstrated its appeal as a premier destination for high-profile international soccer friendlies and events like these help bolster the area's thriving tourism industry and solidify our community's standing as a global hub for sports "Hosting big international soccer matches over the years has played a role in Orlando becoming the top sports event destination in the country It's wonderful that the FC Series is growing to add friendlies in January and we're looking forward to welcoming three of the most recognizable Brazilian soccer clubs and their fans to downtown Orlando The matches will be another great opportunity to showcase our city's vibrancy “We are very excited to host Brazilian soccer in Florida With a soccer week at Inter&Co Stadium we are kicking off an event that will celebrate local communities and reinforce our commitment to providing seamless experiences and benefits to our more than 34 million customers and partners and more to be announced on @Inter_co's Instagram.” "It is a great pleasure for Atlético to return to the United States for the 2025 FC Series especially in this special edition celebrating the event's tenth anniversary and reconnecting with them will be very important In addition to promoting the Club's brand in the American market and opening new opportunities we will have access to excellent facilities to prepare for the 2025 competitions." “Cruzeiro is honored to take part in such a renowned event as the FC Series 2025 This will give us the opportunity to prepare for the upcoming season at a top level making use of excellent facilities and further strengthening the team's unity it’s a chance to expand our brand internationally and engage with Cruzeiro fans living in North America Cruzeiro conducted part of its preseason in the U.S. We hope this return to the country will bring us similar success.” São Paulo FC President Julio Cesar Casares: “We are very pleased to accept the invitation from the FC Series to hold our training and preseason matches for 2025 in the United States the host country for the 2026 FIFA World Cup We will proudly bring our colors and crest to North America positioning São Paulo FC in this key market within the global soccer scene.” Florida Citrus Sports President Sharon Line Clary: “We are thrilled to welcome three of Brazil’s premier soccer clubs to Orlando for next January’s FC Series Since Florida Citrus Sports and Florida Cup joined forces in 2021 with FC Series playing a major role in making Central Florida a prime destination for international soccer The January FC Series lineup underlines Florida Citrus Sports’ commitment to bringing world-class soccer to the region and we’re excited for the opportunity to connect our community with the passion and excitement of Brazilian football once again.” Visit Orlando President and CEO Casandra Matej "Orlando continues to create new opportunities for sports fans worldwide hosting top international clubs with the FC Series in January and the FIFA Club World Cup in the summer of 2025 Brazilians have a strong affinity for Orlando and by bringing three Brazilian clubs to the FC Series there are even more reasons for our Brazilian visitors to enjoy our destination FC Series / Florida Cup CEO Ricardo Villar "We are thrilled to return to our traditional January preseason window focused on top South American clubs We look forward to delivering a first-class experience to Flamengo while in town and welcoming the Orlando City fans back to Camping World Stadium where the club’s MLS campaign began back in 2015." Flamengo Vice President for Communications and Marketing Gustavo Oliveira is a great opportunity to grow the Flamengo brand inside the very important American market where we will play in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup With the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the investments that are being made by the country may that be with work on social media focused on the American public may it be by way of in person events of the Flamengo brand Orlando City SC EVP of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi “Flamengo is one of the most historic clubs in Brazil with the most on-the-field national championships three Libertadores titles and a world championship This is both an exciting way to open the new year for our supporters and a great test for our team as we look toward a 2024 that also includes Concacaf Champions Cup early on We’re excited to have the eyes of the Nação on Orlando during this time and are hopeful that this match will be the springboard for a very successful 2024 for our team and fans." Brazilian club Cruzeiro say they have contacted security forces after decapitated mannequins depicting three of its players were hung from a bridge in Belo Horizonte Headless mannequins wearing the shirts of Marlon William and Matheus Pereira — stained in red to resemble blood — were hung days after Cruzeiro’s penalty defeat to America MG in the Campeonato Mineiro semi-finals Marlon and William missed their penalties in the shootout defeat while former West Bromwich Albion playmaker Pereira has been linked with a move away from the club who exited the competition after failing to win any of their most recent five matches called on authorities to investigate the issue A club statement on Monday “called upon security forces to ensure all necessary measures are taken regarding this matter.” The club added they condemned the “threats made against America MG goalkeeper Matheus Mendes” who saved the Marlon and William penalties “Episodes like these only expose how much we need to evolve as a society,” Cruzeiro’s statement added “The club understands and accepts the demands and criticism but hopes they remain within the realm of sports and never turn into attacks whose most recent Campeonato Mineiro title came in 2019 have seen rivals Atletico Mineiro win each of the most recent five editions of the tournament Last year’s defeated Copa Sudamericana finalists Cruzeiro begin their 2025 Brazilian Serie A league campaign on March 28 at home to Mirassol This incident mirrors that of January 2023 in Madrid, when a mannequin wearing Vinicius Junior’s shirt was hung from the neck from a bridge ahead of a between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid Predicted lineups are available for the match a few days in advance while the actual lineup will be available about an hour ahead of the match The current head to head record for the teams are Red Bull Bragantino 0 win(s) Eduardo Sasha has the most shots on target per match for Red Bull Bragantino (1.6) Jhonatan has created the most big chances for Red Bull Bragantino (3) Have scored 5 goals in their last 5 matches Cruzeiro haven't lost to Red Bull Bragantino in their last 5 meetings (2W, 3D). Kaio Jorge has the most shots on target per match for Cruzeiro (1.6) 20 Apr 2025 23:30:00 GMT?Red Bull Bragantino won 1–0 over Cruzeiro on Sun 20 Apr 2025 23:30:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 6 goals in their last 5 matches Cruzeiro haven't lost to Red Bull Bragantino in their last 5 meetings (2W Red Bull Bragantino is playing home against Cruzeiro at Estádio Nabi Abi Chedid on Sun How to watch the Copa Sudamericana match between Cruzeiro and Mushuc Runa Cruzeiro will take on Mushuc Runa in the second game of the Copa Sudamericana group stage at the Mineirao Stadium on Wednesday Cruzeiro will be hoping to avoid what could be a third straight defeat They lost the first game of the group stage against Union have lost only one out of their last five games and started this tournament with a 3-2 win over Palestino GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch The match will be shown live on Fubo, Fanatiz and beIN Sports in the US. Live updates can be found here on GOAL If you are abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out GOAL's guide to the best VPNs for streaming sport The match will be played at the Mineirao Stadium on Wednesday with kick-off at 8.30 pm ET for fans in the US Cruzeiro will host Mushuc Runa in a crucial Copa Sudamericana Group E match and the Brazilian side is under pressure after losing their opening game against Unión Santa Fe and struggling with form managing just one win in their last five matches Injuries to Joao Marcelo and Juan Dinenno have weakened their squad with both players unavailable for this fixture Cruzeiro's defensive vulnerabilities at home also remain a concern Mushuc Runa enter the match as Group E leaders following their impressive 3-2 victory over Palestino in their opening game The Ecuadorian team has been consistent recently with one win and three draws in their last five matches They boast a full-strength squad with no injuries or suspensions allowing coach Ever Almeida to field his best lineup Marquinhos has joined Cruzeiro on loan until the end of the Brazilian Serie A season in December The 21-year-old has recently returned from a year-long loan with fellow Brazilian side Fluminense where he made 29 appearances in all competitions.Marquinhos joined Fluminense just a few months after their first-ever Copa Libertadores title and went on to be a part of their success when they lifted silverware once again in March 2024 winning the Recopa Sudamericana against LDU Quito.The Brazil youth international previously had short-term loan spells at both Norwich City in the Championship and French side Nantes in Ligue 1.Everyone at the club wishes Marquinhos all the best for his loan spell with Cruzeiro and look forward to seeing his continued development.The loan deal is subject to regulatory processes Copyright 2025 The Arsenal Football Club Limited Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source MEN WOMEN ACADEMY CLUB Everything you need to know about our 24/25 European campaign MEN WOMEN ACADEMY ALL MEN WOMEN UNDER-21 UNDER-18 Explore our Help Centre for answers to common questions For all other enquiries please use our New Enquiry form Website feedback? Fill in our form Report abuse and discrimination here Check out our exclusive Wallpapers for desktop and mobile today MEN WOMEN ACADEMY The current head to head record for the teams are Sao Paulo 17 win(s) Have kept the most clean sheets in the competition (2) Sao Paulo have won the previous 3 matches against Cruzeiro. Have scored 4 goals in their last 5 matches Haven't kept a clean sheet in 14 matches William is ranked 1 in big chances created in the competition (2) 13 Apr 2025 20:30:00 GMT?Sao Paulo vs Cruzeiro on Sun 13 Apr 2025 20:30:00 GMT ended in a 1–1 tie.InsightsHave scored 3 goals in their last 5 matches Sao Paulo have won the previous 3 matches against Cruzeiro Sao Paulo is playing home against Cruzeiro at MorumBIS on Sun The current head to head record for the teams are Cruzeiro 9 win(s) Haven't kept a clean sheet in 15 matches Cassio is ranked 3 in saves per match in the competition (4.3) Have scored 6 goals in their last 5 matches Luciano Juba is ranked 1 in big chances created in the competition (3) 18 Apr 2025 00:30:00 GMT?Cruzeiro won 3–0 over Bahia on Fri 18 Apr 2025 00:30:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 4 goals in their last 5 matches Cruzeiro is playing home against Bahia at Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto on Fri Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Adryelson of Brazil’s Botafogo, right, and Leonardo Sequeira of Uruguay’s Penarol jump for a header during a Copa Libertadores semifinal second leg soccer match at Centenario stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Santiago Mazzarovich) A fan of Uruguay’s Penarol cheers and lights a flare while waiting for the start of a Copa Libertadores semifinal second leg soccer match against Brazil’s Botafogo at Centenario stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Santiago Mazzarovich) Referee Piero Maza, of Chile, shows a red card to Mateo Ponte of Brazil’s Botafogo during a Copa Libertadores semifinal second leg soccer match against Uruguay’s Penarol at Centenario stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico) Jaime Baez of Uruguay’s Penarol celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal against Brazil’s Botafogo during a Copa Libertadores semifinal second leg soccer match at Centenario stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Santiago Mazzarovich) Kaio Jorge of Brazil’s Cruzeiro, left, celebrates scoring his side’s opening goal against Argentina’s Lanus during a Copa Sudamericana semifinal second leg soccer match at La Fortaleza Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello) Walter Bou of Argentina’s Lanus, left, reacts after missing a chance to score against Brazil’s Cruzeiro during a Copa Sudamericana semifinal second leg soccer match at La Fortaleza Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello) Players of Brazil’s Botafogo celebrate at the end of a Copa Libertadores semifinal second leg soccer match against Uruguay’s Penarol at Centenario stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. Botafogo won 6-3 on aggregate. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico) Coach Artur Jorge of Brazil’s Botafogo celebrates with his players at the end of a Copa Libertadores semifinal second leg soccer match against Uruguay’s Penarol at Centenario stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. Botafogo won 6-3 on aggregate. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico) Rodrigo Perez of Uruguay’s Penarol, left, and Tiquinho Soares of Brazil’s Botafogo battle for the ball during a Copa Libertadores semifinal second leg soccer match at Centenario stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico) Jaime Baez of Uruguay’s Penarol, right, dribbles past Mateo Ponte of Brazil’s Botafogo during a Copa Libertadores semifinal second leg soccer match at Centenario stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico) Lucas Hernandez of Uruguay’s Penarol, left, and Mateo Ponte of Brazil’s Botafogo battle for the ball during a Copa Libertadores semifinal second leg soccer match at Centenario stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico) MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Brazil’s Botafogo advanced to its first Copa Libertadores final on Wednesday despite a 3-1 loss at Uruguay’s Penarol. The Rio de Janeiro side had won the first leg of its semifinal 5-0. Botafogo rested many of its starters because of the big advantage, including national team strikers Luiz Henrique and Igor Jesus. Jaime Báez scored Penarol’s first two goals. The first came from long distance in the 31st minute and the second in the 66th from the edge of the box. By then, the hosts were one man down due to an unusual red card. Goalkeeper Washington Aguerre was sent off during the break after intentionally stepping on the foot of Botafogo goalie John. Botafogo lost a player in the 69th minute when Mateo Ponte received his second yellow only seconds after he got his first. World Cup champion Thiago Almada was brought in by Botafogo in the second half and scored for the visiting team from close range in the 88th minute. One minute later, also from close range, Penarol’s Facundo Batista netted the third goal for the Uruguayan team. Brazilian teams have won the tournament for the past five years. The final will be played at the Monumental de Nunez Stadium in Buenos Aires. FIFA will make the draw for the June 15-July 13 tournament on a date in early December it has not yet confirmed. Also on Wednesday, Brazil’s Cruzeiro advanced to the Copa Sudamericana final with a 1-0 win at Argentina’s Lanus. Their first leg ended 1-1 last week. Cruzeiro could face another Brazilian team in the decider of South America’s second most prestigious club tournament. Corinthians, the club of Dutch striker Memphis Depay, will take on Argentina’s Racing in Buenos Aires on Thursday. Their first leg in Sao Paulo finished 2-2. Kaio Jorge: At Just 22, Leading Cruzeiro to Sudamericana GloryKaio Jorge, the young Brazilian striker who struggled to find his footing in Europe, is now the shining star for Cruzeiro. At just 22, he’s been instrumental in taking the team to the final of the Copa Sudamericana, scoring four of their five goals in the quarterfinals and semifinals. After a tough stint with Juventus and Frosinone, Kaio Jorge returned to Brazil in July, joining Cruzeiro. Though it took him 10 matches to find the back of the net, he’s been on fire since, racking up six goals and two assists in his last 12 appearances. His resurgence has made him the go-to man for coach Fernando Diniz, rekindling hopes for Cruzeiro’s first continental title in 15 years. In the Sudamericana, Kaio Jorge delivered when it mattered most, scoring in all four matches of the quarters and semis—including the decisive goal away at Lanús in Argentina. His stellar performances have reminded everyone why he was considered a rising star at Santos, where he made waves as a teenager. With Santos, Kaio Jorge featured in 84 games, scored 17 goals, and provided 4 assists before heading to Juventus in 2021. He even played in the 2020 Libertadores final, helping his team reach the summit, though Palmeiras ultimately took the crown. His time in Europe, however, was riddled with challenges. Injuries, including a torn patellar tendon, sidelined him for much of his Juventus tenure, limiting him to just 11 appearances without a single goal. A loan to Frosinone in 2023 saw slight improvement with three goals and one assist in 22 games, but it wasn’t enough to secure his place in Italy. Eager for a fresh start, Kaio Jorge returned to Brazil, where he’s rediscovered his form. Standing at 1.76 meters, he’s a versatile forward—deadly in the box but also skilled at dropping deep as a false 9 to link up with teammates. Now injury-free and brimming with confidence, Kaio Jorge believes the best is yet to come. Mark your calendars for November 23 in Asunción, as Cruzeiro faces Racing in what promises to be an epic Sudamericana final. Will Kaio Jorge deliver once again? The Star-Studded Lineup Aiming to Bring Sudamericana Glory to CruzeiroCruzeiro, Racing Club's opponent in the Copa Sudamericana final, boasts a mix of promising young Brazilian talents, a legendary goalkeeper, and a former Real Madrid player, all under the guidance of ex-Brazilian national team coach Fernando Diniz. Recently sold by Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima to a local businessman, the Belo Horizonte side has one of the most exciting attacks in Brazil's top flight, with Gabriel Verón and Kaio Jorge leading the charge. On the defensive end, Argentinians Lucas Villalba and Lucas Romero stand out. Catch the CONMEBOL Sudamericana's Final Between Racing and Cruzeiro on Saturday at 2:55PM ET / 11:55 PM PT on beIN SPORTS. Racing vs. Cruzeiro: Clash of Giants Both Seeking First Copa SudamericanaTwo football giants, Argentina's Racing and Brazil's Cruzeiro, will face off this Saturday in Asunción for their first Copa Sudamericana title, a trophy that has eluded these historic rivals in continental tournaments. Both teams arrive at the final with stars like Colombian Juan Fernando Quintero and Brazilian prospect Kaio Jorge. The match will take place at the General Pablo Rojas Stadium, "La Nueva Olla," and will determine the 2024 champion, with the winner taking home six million dollars, while the loser will settle for two million dollars. The record in finals between these two teams is tied, with one win for each side. Racing claimed the first edition of the now-defunct Supercopa Sudamericana in 1988 against Cruzeiro, who got their revenge in 1992 by winning the cup. Since then, the blue-and-white team has not reached a decisive stage of an international tournament. Overall statistics favor the Brazilians, who have won five of the 11 international matchups, while Racing has four victories, including two draws. Racing arrives at the final without a trophy since 1988, the year they won the Supercopa and the Interamericana against Costa Rica’s Herediano. The Academy will be led by coach Gustavo Costas, a lifelong Racing fan who played for the team. Wearing Racing's colors, Costas secured the club's last international title in 1988. This Saturday, he’ll attempt to repeat that feat from the bench. Costas will rely on key players like Colombian Juan Fernando Quintero, experienced goalkeeper Gabriel Arias, and striker Adrián 'Maravilla' Martínez. Racing advanced to the Sudamericana final by finishing first in their group and overcoming Chile’s Huachipato and Brazil’s Athletico Paranaense and Corinthians in the knockout stages. If Racing wins the Sudamericana, they would add this title to their collection, which includes the Copa Aldao (1917 and 1918), Honor Cusenier (1913), Libertadores and Intercontinental (1967), and the Supercopa Sudamericana (1988), securing their place among the giants. With a possession-based style and game dominance as the hallmark of coach Fernando Diniz’s approach, Cruzeiro is hunting its eighth international title, a reward for a team that has overcome both sporting and economic challenges. Under Diniz’s leadership, the Belo Horizonte side will aim to follow the path set by their coach, who led Fluminense to victory in the 2023 Copa Libertadores. Striker Kaio Jorge, 22, is one of Cruzeiro’s standout players, having scored four of the team’s five goals in the quarterfinals and semifinals. Kaio has left behind his difficult European experience. Also important in the lineup are forward Gabriel Verón and Argentine defenders Lucas Villalba and Lucas Romero. Cruzeiro, which was sold this year by Ronaldo Luiz Nazário de Lima to a local businessman, is backed by one of Brazil’s largest fanbases. The Black Beast boasts two Copa Libertadores titles (1976 and 1997), two Supercopa Sudamericana titles (1991 and 1992), one Recopa Sudamericana (1998), one Copa Oro Nicolás Leoz (1995), and one Copa Master de Supercopa (1994). once donned the iconic white jersey of Real Madrid the same guy who was once touted as one of Brazil’s brightest prospects he’s still got gas in the tank and plenty of game left in him a team that doesn’t mess around when it comes to strengthening its squad They’ve reportedly started talks to bring Lucas Silva to the other side of the globe let’s start with where Lucas Silva is right now a club that might not be riding its best wave but still boasts a storied history and a fiercely loyal fanbase He made his return in 2020 after an underwhelming stint in Europe With his contract running until the end of 2024 Lucas has made it clear he’d rather stay put Follow MLS Multiplex on X (Twitter). the New England Revolution doesn’t seem too concerned about that The MLS side looks dead set on making a strong offer especially with Lucas Silva’s contract entering its home stretch MLS has become a magnet for big names at different stages of their careers and more than capable of handling the midfield grind he’s played under the brightest lights with Real Madrid adding an ex-Real Madrid player would beef up their midfield with some much-needed consistency and vision signing someone with Lucas Silva’s pedigree is also a marketing win It’s hard to discuss Lucas Silva without revisiting his Real Madrid chapter he was signed as one of Spain’s rising stars and even a health scare that almost ended his career Lucas found himself sent out on loan to get minutes he never quite established himself at the European powerhouse viewing his career through that lens alone doesn’t do him justice Returning to Brazil and reclaiming his confidence at Cruzeiro was a story of resilience sharp with his passing and steady in his defensive duties While MLS has shaken off its old reputation it hasn’t completely dodged the “retirement league” label That could explain why Lucas Silva doesn’t seem overly enthusiastic about jumping ship to the States just yet where the New England Revolution calls home Adjusting wouldn’t be a stretch for Lucas Silva But if the club hesitates or struggles to compete financially New England could start looking like a real possibility After his European adventure and homecoming maybe he feels there’s unfinished business in Brazil Or maybe he sees MLS as a chance to explore something fresh before hanging up his boots New England Revolution seems to be playing its cards right by initiating talks early Lucas Silva’s contract situation gives them a small window before other clubs jump in or Cruzeiro locks him down with a renewal convincing someone who’s openly expressed his love for Brazilian soccer isn’t exactly a walk in the park © 2025 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Minute Media or its affiliates and related brands All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER ","https://fansided.com/",{"alt":"7c","src":"7d","url":"7e"},{"type":"7b","value":"7f"},"link","Minute Media","https://www.minutemedia.com/",{"text":"7i","url":"7j"},{"type":"7h","value":"7k"},"All Rights Reserved Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Minute Media or its affiliates and related brands he’s covered CONCACAF teams as a sports journalist With a degree in Communications and Marketing Arthur worked at Boca Raton FC when the Florida squad was battling it out in the APSL and NPSL Arthur worked with Torcedores and Esportes News Mundo and Mexican versions of VAVEL before landing at Fansided Arthur’s a polyglot aiming to speak nine languages by 2030 Follow MLS Multiplex on X (Twitter). For New England, this could be about more than just soccer. Sure, adding an ex-Real Madrid player would beef up their midfield with some much-needed consistency and vision. But let’s be real, signing someone with Lucas Silva’s pedigree is also a marketing win. It’s hard to discuss Lucas Silva without revisiting his Real Madrid chapter. Back in 2015, he was signed as one of Spain’s rising stars. But, to cut to the chase, things didn’t exactly pan out. Between struggles with adapting, limited opportunities, and even a health scare that almost ended his career, Lucas found himself sent out on loan to get minutes. Sadly, he never quite established himself at the European powerhouse. Still, viewing his career through that lens alone doesn’t do him justice. Returning to Brazil and reclaiming his confidence at Cruzeiro was a story of resilience. He’s still the same technical, reliable midfielder, sharp with his passing and steady in his defensive duties. While MLS has shaken off its old reputation, it hasn’t completely dodged the “retirement league” label. That could explain why Lucas Silva doesn’t seem overly enthusiastic about jumping ship to the States just yet. On the flip side, there’s the financial angle. MLS pays well, and life in the U.S. has its perks. Boston, where the New England Revolution calls home, offers a vibrant culture, top-notch quality of life, and an engaged fanbase. Adjusting wouldn’t be a stretch for Lucas Silva. What happens next hinges on a few factors. If Cruzeiro steps up with a new deal, preferably one with a solid pay bump, Lucas might just stick around. After all, who doesn’t like feeling valued? But if the club hesitates or struggles to compete financially, New England could start looking like a real possibility. Then there’s the personal side of things. Is Lucas ready for a change of scenery? After his European adventure and homecoming, maybe he feels there’s unfinished business in Brazil. Or maybe he sees MLS as a chance to explore something fresh before hanging up his boots. New England Revolution seems to be playing its cards right by initiating talks early. They know the clock’s ticking, Lucas Silva’s contract situation gives them a small window before other clubs jump in or Cruzeiro locks him down with a renewal. Still, convincing someone who’s openly expressed his love for Brazilian soccer isn’t exactly a walk in the park. After stints with Real Madrid and Cruzeiro, is Lucas Silva ready to take on MLS? league positioned him as a standout-not just because of his talent but for his versatility able to act both in midfield and on the wings Santiago has been essential in this MLS team but maybe his future will be in Brazilian soccer Cruzeiro is keeping an eye on the market, and one name that’s appeared on their radar is Uruguayan midfielder Santiago Rodríguez, currently with New York City FC in MLS With his versatility and experience in MLS Santiago should fit well into the playing style proposed by coach Fernando Diniz who likes to deploy dynamic and attacking soccer It's not only Cruzeiro that wants Santiago Rodríguez has also expressed interest in the Uruguayan The tussle between these two clubs gets more interesting with each of these teams eager to build a strong squad for a tough season ahead Santiago pulled off an incredible performance-40 matches Santiago Rodríguez might leave New York City FC to become one of the great signings of Brazilian football which aims to restructure itself to return to the top tier of Brazilian soccer views Santiago as an opportunity to raise their level of skill in midfield with his technical ability and experience in MLS especially with the goal of winning titles in 2025 Santiago Rodríguez's interaction on social media also told a lot about his intentions He liked a post that talked about the possibility of his transfer to Cruzeiro which generated even more speculation among fans with fans asking for his signing and tagging influential figures at the club not only raises interest surrounding the Uruguayan's name but also shows that he is aware of the public appeal These little interactions make all the difference and can show a desire of the player himself to wear the Celeste jersey next season the big question will be whether the Minas Gerais club can secure New York City FC to let go of the player or whether the Uruguayan's future will take another course in Brazil Rodríguez could be the game-changer Cruzeiro needs for 2025 A Brazilian striker was sent off in a top-division match on Saturday after hitting a rival with his elbow just three seconds into a match Cruzeiro's Rafa Silva left his team one man down in what ended as a 3-0 defeat at Athletico Paranaense Silva hit Athletico's Kaique Rocha slightly below his neck as they challenged for the ball shortly after kick off Referee Rodrigo José Pereira de Lima duly sent the 32-year-old Cruzeiro player off for one of the earliest red cards in soccer history Rafa Silva wasted no time in getting sent off in Cruzeiro's loss to Athletico Paranaense. Gledston Tavares/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty ImagesAthletico are fighting against relegation from Brazil's Serie A Cruzeiro are seeking one of the top positions to secure a direct berth in the next edition of the Copa Libertadores The team from Belo Horizonte rested some of their players for the match in the city of Curitiba so they can recover for the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana at Argentina's Lanus next week Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report The web server reported a bad gateway error Cruzeiro agreed to sign midfielder Matheus Pereira from Saudi club Al-Hilal on loan with hopes that he would be their technical pillar in the second half of the season In his first appearance as a starter for the team he picked up a knee injury and was out for two months He had some trouble reestablishing himself after his return from injury Matheus proved pivotal to the team’s final stretch in the 2023 season helping the team avoid relegation and guarantee a spot in the 2024 Copa Sudamericana A Cruzeiro Story The 28-year-old continued his great run entering the new year No wonder why the Brazilian club made his move a definitive one for an estimated €5 million a year after his arrival and it’s also not a surprise to see other big clubs’ interest in him Matheus Pereira is a technical and versatile player who can play as central or attacking midfielder He operates best with the freedom to move around the pitch to position himself in order to receive the ball Igor Jesus: Botafogo’s Hidden Gem Ready for the Spotlight His passing ability is one of the aspects that stands out the most in his game style His high-quality progressive passes are key to the team’s advancement in attacking plays but because his short and long passes are so consistent it’s common to see him dropping back at times and providing a calm presence in support of the build-up He also shows great ability to scan the pitch which is well-grounded in his football IQ and spatial awareness He adjusts his body movement to receive the ball already knowing whom he’ll pass it to and the space he’s running to aiming at receiving the ball back in a more advanced position Matheus Pereira’s heat map in the 2024 Brasileirão season The midfielder is equally comfortable exploring the half-space and positioning himself in between the lines to receive the ball He’s got great ability to receive the ball while in movement either when running but also when turning his body The feeling is that he always knows what to do before having control of the ball As much as Matheus is not among the best dribblers when compared to other players in similar roles His close control allows him to cut from his right to his preferred left foot to dribble and beat his marker to progress with the ball All of these aspects combine in the midfielder’s creativity He doesn’t let his next move show and is able to fool the opposition and find runs and passes that most players wouldn’t be able to Through balls are a trademark and add to the aspects that allow him to excel in creating shot and goal situations Matheus is usually responsible for his side’s set pieces Richard Ríos: A Colombian Star on the Rise Looking more closely at his shooting abilities he likes to shoot from mid and long ranges and his shot volume and precision aren’t relatively high his ball-striking ability proves differential He has a good rate of goals per shot on target which highlights the quality of his finishing Matheus Pereira is a midfielder that brings his side creativity and composure he is able to operate both in counter-attack and patient progression plays His passing and ball-striking abilities impact directly and positively his side’s attacking transitions and organization Cruzeiro kicks off 2025 with an aggressive approach to the transfer market Following their runner-up finish in the Copa Sudamericana is overhauling the squad to reclaim prominence on both the national and international stage Three Trophies, Two Years and One Exceptional Coach: The Rise and Fall of Fernando Diniz’s Fluminense Pereira has been able to take his game to another level under Fernando Diniz who recently left his post as Cruzeiro manager With more high-quality attacking options available the coach should make some changes to his lineup Matheus Pereira should remain a pillar for Cabuloso’s squad Fernando Diniz’s playing style is truly unique the Brazilian coach has developed his own approach relying mostly on passes; positional freedom and asymmetrical play; and pressing during defensive transitions Diniz’s base formation since arriving at Cruzeiro has been a 4-2-3-1 with Pereira operating mostly as a central attacking-midfielder and that’s where he should play mostly this season as well although new signings could make Matheus play under different attributions Estêvão Willian: The Newest Brazilian Starlet on the Rise are two of the Minas Gerais club’s biggest signings this season and the expectation is that Diniz will get the duo straight into the starting lineup Former Arsenal winger Marquinhos was also brought in as a personal request from the manager after the two worked together at Fluminense given the preferred 4-2-3-1 formation and Diniz’s initial preference for Matheus Pereira operating centrally The first one would see Pereira in the second midfield line with Dudu and Gabriel on the wings Marquinhos would join Pereira and Dudu in the attacking midfield line while Gabriel Barbosa operates as centre forward the attack would be highly dynamic and of exceptional quality Matheus could maintain his freedom to occupy spaces in the attacking half and would be creating opportunities for widely recognized prolific strikers Lorran: Flamengo’s Explosive Superstar experienced midfielder Eduardo is another reinforcement Cruzeiro brought in this January With Eduardo’s introduction into the team Diniz could push Matheus to the right wing Both Dudu and Maquinhos could be deployed in the left wing with Gabriel Barbosa and Kaio Jorge being options up front playing on the right flank wouldn’t be new for Cabuloso’s number 10 He feels comfortable operating on the right wing where he can also leverage his creative abilities he supports build-up play and ensures dynamism in attack he benefits from the opportunity to cut inside onto his favored left foot Some other possibilities open up when thinking about the possibility of Diniz switching his formation to a 4-3-1-2 Endrick: The Brazilian Sensation Ready To Conquer Europe Matheus Pereira enters his second full season in Brazil at the top of his game and with great expectations, not only at an individual level, but at a collective one as well.  Cruzeiro have brought in some important names to strengthen their side. Because of that, Pereira’s importance grows as a technical leader in the team. His playmaking ability and decision-making are set to be key to the team’s build-up and attacking play, especially with the number of quality strikers available. It’s hard not to see Matheus’ influence and output not increasing this season. Even though Cruzeiro has made it clear that prying their main man away from the club won’t be an easy task, the competition won’t give up easily. Matheus Pereira has proven to be the type of player who elevates the level of any team, and if Cruzeiro fails to translate their investments into success on the field, the midfielder might be tempted by a move. Many are watching closely and will rightly continue to do so. Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Gledston Tavares / AFP © Breaking The Lines 2017-2021. All Rights Reserved. Barreal lived moments of ups and downs with Cabuloso The physical problems have been an obstacle to his stay Álvaro Barreal will not stay with Cruzeiro. The Brazilian club did not exercise the purchase option, and the Argentine forward returns to FC Cincinnati The passage of Álvaro Barreal at Cruzeiro was marked by contrasts the Argentine arrived with a lot of expectation first as a left wingback and afterward as a midfielder contributing in important matches to support the midfield the physical pain began to take part in his performance an inguinal hernia problem and ankle pains persisted in not allowing him to do great things This then made the Argentine miss several decisive matches and lose a fixed place these few stats brought equilibrium in midfield to the team and gave more freedom for other key players to express themselves Barreal's loan deal included a purchase option valued at $4 million but Cruzeiro eventually decided against activating it The decision was greatly influenced by the apprehension of his physical condition The MLS club recently announced the extension of the forward's contract until December 2026 one year beyond its original expiration date in 2025 This shows that Cincinnati believes in the recovery and contribution of Barreal either as a key player or a valuable asset for future transfers the Argentine published a photo of himself with the light blue jersey on social networks The caption was straightforward: "It was an honor This message felt like a respectful farewell showing his appreciation for the club despite the challenges he faced and many lamented the club’s decision not to retain him for the 2025 season This is good news for FC Cincinnati now has the chance to recover and show the form that once made him valuable Barreal is a versatile forward who brings some much-needed creativity and energy into the team's offensive setup FC Cincinnati may view Barreal as an asset for future transfers MLS has become an important source of player exports the interest of European or South American clubs could raise his market value This is good news for FC Cincinnati Álvaro Barreal’s MLS comeback carries high stakes Racing Club defeated Cruzeiro 3-1 to win the Copa Sudamericana at La Nueva Olla in Asunción Gastón Martirena and Adrián “Maravilla” Martínez scored in the first half while Roger Martínez added a third goal in the second half Cruzeiro’s Kaio Jorge scored the lone goal for the Brazilian side The victory ended Racing’s 36-year wait for an international trophy and secured their automatic qualification for the 2025 Copa Libertadores remains in contention for the 2024 Liga Profesional title Gustavo Costas became the latest figure to win titles with Racing as both a player and a coach The full list includes:Armando ReyesJosé Della TorreSaúl OngaroJuan José PizzutiAlfio BasileGustavo Costas Racing is now one of eight teams to win both the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana River PlateBoca JuniorsIndependienteSan LorenzoRacing ClubLiga de QuitoInternacionalSão Paulo Racing scored 33 goals during the 2024 Copa Sudamericana The previous record of 28 goals was shared by Colo Colo (2006) (The stats were provided by @mavegol of El Gráfico) Salas as a support striker has been very impressive for Racing Garnacho had another disappointing performance today and Rashford being a more experienced and effective threat Garnacho seems likely to spend more time on the bench alongside Antony who hasn’t yet been given an extended run of matches and regular minutes on the pitch like Garnacho!Unless he improves his passing finishing & his overall decision making not only he is going to be a permanent member of the United bench his playing time is also going to significantly be reduced even further His misses in the last 4-5 matches under Ten-Hag played a huge role in getting ETH fired especially when a long run of poor results can also get him in trouble Relying on Garnacho has pushed United into the bottom half of the table Scaloni should drop Garnacho if he doesn’t improve as we have better youngsters with much better work ethic and futballing IQ Beating a Brazilian team in the final also a bonus Di Cesare from U23 is playing there as well Mundo Albiceleste is your home for all the latest news about the Argentina National Football team in English Racing and Cruzeiro Fans Crowd Paraguay's Border CrossingsAsunción including the 45,000 who will be able to enter "La Nueva Olla."Don't miss the Copa Sudamericana final on beIN SPORTS this Saturday at 3:00 PM ET Paraguay's border crossings were packed this Saturday morning with fans of Racing and Cruzeiro waiting to enter the country to attend the Copa Sudamericana final set to take place in a few hours at the General Pablo Rojas Stadium Lines of buses and fans wearing the colors of the Belo Horizonte team were visible at the Ciudad del Este border checkpoint a town bordering Brazil located about 320 kilometers from the Paraguayan capital in addition to buses carrying organized fan groups there were also tourist vehicles filled with Brazilian supporters exceeding the expectations of local authorities which neighbors the Argentine city of Clorinda Many of them told ABC TV that they had been waiting since the early hours of the morning to pass through the checkpoint This crossing point between the two countries is about an hour’s drive from Asunción the National Directorate of Migrations reported the arrival of 32,834 tourists to Paraguay Paraguayan authorities have set up a security operation involving 7,000 police officers in Asunción and the deployment of military personnel at "critical" points particularly the teams' hotels and areas where buses and vehicles with fans have been stationed Don't miss the Copa Sudamericana final on beIN SPORTS this Saturday at 3:00 PM ET Libertadores Champion Coach with FluminenseBrazilian club Cruzeiro has announced the signing of Fernando Diniz the coach who won last year’s Copa Libertadores with Fluminense and was also Brazil's interim manager for a short stint who signed a contract until the end of 2025 will face his first big challenge this Thursday when Cruzeiro takes on Paraguay’s Libertad in the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals “Let this be the beginning of a successful journey,” Cruzeiro shared on social media Diniz had a short spell with the Brazilian national team in 2023 but a string of poor results in the World Cup qualifiers led to him being replaced by Dorival Júnior While he led Fluminense to continental glory this year saw the team struggle in the domestic league which ultimately led to his dismissal in June Cruzeiro currently sits seventh in the league