Cruzeiro is scheduled to face Fluminense, this Wednesday night, at 9:30 pm, at Maracanã, in a match valid for the 24th round of the Brazilian Championship. Zé Ricardo decided to bet on Gilberto, again, and Nikão to form the star attack. The number 99 gained the position after the injury to Rafael Elias, the Parrot, and the number 10 became a starter after scoring a goal and providing an assist in last Thursday’s match (14), against Santos. Find out what Cruzeiro’s lineup is for the upcoming game.
With Nikão’s entry, winger Arthur Gomes went to the bench. Scorer of the second celestial goal against Santos, Bruno Rodrigues continues as a substitute. Another novelty is the return of Lucas Oliveira to Cruzeiro’s starting lineup, replacing the suspended Luciano Castán.
Cruzeiro lineup
Zé Ricardo climbed Cruzeiro like this: Rafael Cabral; William, Lucas Oliveira, Neris and Marlon; Matheus Jussa, Lucas Silva and Mateus Vital; Nikão, Wesley and Gilberto.
We are scheduled for the game against Fluminense.
UP! #FLUxCRU | #ClosedWithCruzeiro pic.twitter.com/VpVDktey8o— Cruzeiro (@Cruzeiro) September 20, 2023
Hanging out in today’s game are: Bruno Rodrigues, Filipe Machado, Lucas Oliveira, Marlon, Matheus Jussa and Helibelton Palacios.
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.
Zé Ricardo had problems getting ready for 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.
Fluminense lineup
Even though the Copa Libertadores is the main objective of the season — Fluminense faces Internacional next Wednesday (27), in the first game of the semi-final of the main club competition in South America — Fernando Diniz selected some of his main players for face Cruzeiro.
Fluminense starts the match with: Fábio; Samuel Xavier, Nino, Felipe Melo and Diogo Barbosa; André, Alexsander and Lima; Keno, John Kennedy and Germán Cano.
O #TimeOfGuerreiros is scheduled for the match against Cruzeiro at Maracanã! LET’S WIN, NENSE! pic.twitter.com/3HRSqjsA4m
— Fluminense FC (@FluminenseFC) September 20, 2023
Situation in the table
Cruzeiro started the match in 11th place in the Brasileirão, with 29 points in 23 games, nine behind the G6 and five above Santos, who opens the relegation zone and who has already played — and won — in the round.
In case of victory, the celestial team can gain a position, get closer to the top group in the championship and maintain a good distance from the relegation zone. If they lose, Cruzeiro could end the round in 14th place.
Fluminense, in turn, opens the G6, in sixth place, with 38 points gained in 23 matches. In case of victory, Tricolor das Laranjeiras could enter the G4. On the other hand, if they are defeated, the Rio team could close the 24th round in eighth place.
Where to watch the Fluminense x Cruzeiro game
CBF details Cruzeiro’s next games in the Brasileirão
The CBF released, on 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) – 9:30 pm – 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