Cruzeiro thrash São Caetano in friendly, gear up for season return | OneFootball

Cruzeiro held another test during the mid-season break and thrashed São Caetano 9-0 in a training match played at Toca da Raposa II. The session is part of the preparation of Artur Jorge’s team for the official restart of the season, which resumes with a clash against Internacional in the Brasileirão on the 22nd at 9:30 p.m. at Beira-Rio.

The activity was part of the schedule drawn up by Artur Jorge’s coaching staff during the mid-season break. Later this Thursday, the squad has a second training match, this time against Ipatinga, when a different lineup is expected to be used to give more minutes to the players.

In the first session of the day, Artur Jorge lined Cruzeiro up with Otávio; William, Villalba, Fabrício Bruno and Kauã Moraes; Lucas Romero, Gerson and Matheus Pereira; Gabriel Pec, Sinisterra and Bruno Rodrigues, as reported by Central da Toca.

The rout was built with three goals from Matheus Pereira, two from Sinisterra, two from Bruno Rodrigues, as well as one goal from Villalba and another from Kauã Moraes, completing the emphatic scoreline at Toca da Raposa II.

Besides the result, the training session also allowed Artur Jorge to assess new possibilities for the rest of the season. One of the observations was keeping Kauã Moraes as an improvised left-back. A natural right-back, the 19-year-old once again played on the opposite side of the defense, an alternative being studied by the coaching staff after the departures of Kaiki, transferred to Como of Italy, and Kauã Prates, sold to Borussia Dortmund. At the moment, Gabriel Rojas is the only natural left-back available in the first-team squad, besides center-back Lucas Villalba, who can also play in the role.

Another change tested was Bruno Rodrigues playing as the main attacking reference. With Kaio Jorge established among the starters, the coaching staff continues to evaluate options for the center-forward position. Colombian Néiser Villarreal, considered the immediate backup to the No. 9, did not take part in the session after reporting discomfort over the weekend and was rested. Arroyo, meanwhile, is still recovering from a right thigh injury and remained on a specific fitness program.

Artur Jorge also used the training match to observe youth players. Center-back Kelvin, 20, was brought on during the session, as was forward Rayan Lelis, who was given another opportunity after starting the friendly against Defensor Sporting on the 4th at Independência.

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