Cruzeiro take on the visitors Atletico Mineiro in quarterfinal match of Copa do Brazil. The match will be played on Friday, September 12th at Mineirão (Belo Horizonte).
Cruzeiro not long ago dropped down to the country’s second division. But after returning, they managed to stabilize and eventually finished 9th in last season’s Serie A. That earned them a place in the Copa Sudamericana, though they only finished 3rd in their group with 5 points. Still, they are performing much better on the domestic front. They are also in the cup, having reached the quarterfinals, where they won the first leg 2-0. However, it’s clear that the league is their main priority. There, only Flamengo have more points — 47 to Cruzeiro’s 44 — though the experienced rivals have played one game fewer. Cruzeiro are unbeaten in their last five league matches, showing strong defensive solidity by conceding just two goals in that span. Their attack has improved too, averaging over 2 goals per game in their last four home fixtures.
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Atletico Mineiro remain a mid-table side. “The Roosters” ended a half-century title drought in 2021 by winning the league. But they failed to stay among the leaders. In 2024, Hulk and company only finished 12th. They did better in the Copa Sudamericana, taking second in their group with 9 points, but after edging Atletico Bucaramanga on penalties, they were eliminated by Godoy Cruz. Their league form has been particularly poor recently, losing to nearly everyone in the second half of August. And in the cup, after passing Flamengo in the round of 16, they lost at home to Cruzeiro. That first leg ended 2-0 to the visitors thanks to Fabrício Bruno’s goal and assist to Kaio Jorge. Atletico Mineiro have lost three of their last four away league games, struggling to create chances. Their defense has also been leaky, conceding 10 goals across their last five matches.
Before that first cup match, “Galo” had gone six official meetings against this opponent without defeat — four wins and two draws. If they managed to win away, Cruzeiro should be expected to beat this opponent again at home.
Prediction for the match: Cruzeiro to win.
