Fluminense and Cruzeiro face each other on Wednesday (20), at 9:30 pm, at Maracanã, for the 24th round of the Brazilian Championship. While the Rio team is fighting at the top of the table, currently occupying 6th place, with 38 points in 23 games, the Minas Gerais team are in 11th place, with 29.
Despite Fluminense’s good position, just one point behind Grêmio, third placed, Tricolor das Laranjeiras’ focus is the Copa Libertadores da América. The Rio team is in the semifinals and faces Internacional on the 27th. As a result, it is likely that coach Fernando Diniz will rest some of his starters against Cruzeiro.
Fluminense absences
But even if he planned to use full force, Fernando Diniz would not have full force at his disposal to catch Cruzeiro. Fluminense suffers from some absences, including the duo Germán Cano and Jhon Árias, two of the main players in the squad.
There is a possibility that top scorer Cano will be spared due to a cut on his left ankle, suffered after a blow in the defeat against Vasco da Gama, on Saturday (16). Arias, in turn, left many Tricolors worried after leaving the game against rival Cruzmaltino on a stretcher. According to an official statement from Fluminense, the midfielder was diagnosed with a mild sprain in his right ankle. The player has already started treatment and should return to training soon. Still, he doesn’t take Cruzeiro.
INFORMATION: Attacking midfielder Jhon Arias was diagnosed with a mild sprain in his right ankle, has already started treatment and should return to training soon. pic.twitter.com/5Z5hnBqL2z
— Fluminense FC (@FluminenseFC) September 18, 2023
With knee pain, midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso has not been training and is another player who should be spared.
On the other hand, defender Felipe Melo, recovered from calf pain, should return to the starting lineup. Samuel Xavier, who was suspended against Vasco, is tipped to start the match at right-back. Marcelo and Alexsander are doubtful.
Another who returns from suspension, served against Vasco, is Fernando Diniz himself.
Cruzeiro absences
Fighting in the second half of the table, Cruzeiro won again in the last round, beating Santos in Vila Belmiro, 3-0, after eight games without a single win. The result made newcomer Zé Ricardo’s team breathe in the table and have more peace of mind to work with Fluminense in mind.
Just like Fernando Diniz, Zé Ricardo will also be absent from Cruzeiro on Wednesday. Luciano Castán, the absolute starter in the Celestial defense, received a third yellow card against Santos and is serving a suspension. In addition to him, names that were already in the medical department remain outside. Rafael Elias, who was injured last week, is one of them.
Midfielder Matheus Pereira, in the final stages of recovery from injury, should not yet be involved, with the possibility of him returning against América-MG.
Wesley Gasolina, recently recovered from surgery after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament and stretching the collateral ligament, could be related, but there is still doubt. Ramiro and Rafael Bilu, who suffered serious injuries in May, are still out and are not expected to return this season.
Where to watch the Fluminense x Cruzeiro game
- Date: September 20, 2023, Wednesday;
- Time: 9:30 pm (Brasília time);
- Local: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro;
- Where to watch: Premiere (pay-per-view) and Globo
CBF details Cruzeiro’s next games in the Brasileirão
The CBF released, this Tuesday (12), the details of rounds 25 to 29 of the Brazilian Championship. See information about Cruzeiro games:
- 24th round – Fluminense x Cruzeiro – 9/20 (Wednesday) – 9pm – Maracanã
- 25th round – Cruzeiro x América-MG – 1/10 (Sunday) – 4pm – Mineirão
- 26th round – Cuiabá x Cruzeiro – 10/8 (Sunday) – 6:30 pm – Arena Pantanal
- 27th round – Cruzeiro x Flamengo – 10/19 (Thursday) – 7pm – Mineirão
- 28th round – Atlético-MG x Cruzeiro – 22/10 (Sunday) – 4pm – Arena MRV
- 29th round – Cruzeiro x Bahia – 10/25 (Wednesday) – 8pm – Mineirão
The CBF detailed rounds 25 to 29 of the Brasileirão. Let’s go to the games @Cruise:
25TH ROUND
Cruzeiro x América-MG
1/10 (Sunday)
4pm
Mineirão
TV Globo and Premiere
Score of the round: 0x4 CruzeiroGustavo Aleixo/Cruzeiro pic.twitter.com/yO7ehe6Po4
— Maic Costa (@omaiccosta) September 13, 2023