Atlético-MG v Cruzeiro: third Copa do Brasil clash, history here | OneFootball

The draw for the 2025 Copa do Brasil quarterfinals has set up the Minas Gerais derby in the competition for the third time in history. Atlético-MG and Cruzeiro have already decided the competition once and met on another occasion.

The first match is scheduled for this Wednesday, at 7:30 PM (Brasília time), at Mineirão. The return leg will take place in two weeks, at Arena MRV.

The first time the teams faced each other in the Copa do Brasil was in 2014. At the time, Cruzeiro were the reigning Brazilian champions and on their way to a second consecutive title. On the other side, Atlético-MG had won the Libertadores in 2013.

After a heroic comeback against Flamengo in the semifinals, Atlético-MG arrived at the final on a high. In the first leg, at Independência, Galo won 2-0, with goals from Luan and Dátolo. In a packed Mineirão for the return leg, Raposa saw Diego Tardelli’s goal crown Levir Culpi’s team’s campaign.

Five years later, Cruzeiro got their revenge. Drawn to face each other in the quarterfinals, this time Raposa played the first match at home. At Mineirão, the Blues won 3-0, with goals from Pedro Rocha, Thiago Neves, and Robinho, and the team went to Independência with a big advantage. In the return leg, Cazares and Patric scored in Atlético-MG’s 2-0 win, but it wasn’t enough.

However, Cruzeiro did not have a good end to the year. The team was eliminated by Internacional in the semifinals and was also relegated in that edition of the Brazilian Championship.

Since then, both Minas Gerais clubs have become SAFs and have only managed to win the Copa do Brasil once. In 2021, Atlético-MG beat Athletico-PR and claimed their second title. While Galo is looking to lift their third trophy, record champions Cruzeiro are aiming for their seventh title in the competition.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.