Fluminense name squad with seven Xerém graduates for Cruzeiro clash | OneFootball

Fluminense released this Sunday (31) the squad list for the clash against Cruzeiro at Mineirão, for the 18th round of the Brazilian Championship. The main new feature of the call-up is the strong presence of players developed at Xerém: in all, seven athletes produced in the club’s youth academy were called up by the coaching staff.

The players chosen by Zubeldía were Marcelo Pitaluga, Davi Schuindt, Martinelli, Riquelme, John Kennedy, Keven Samuel and Wesley Natã. Among them, the expectation is that two names already established in the senior squad will start the match: Martinelli and John Kennedy.

Fluminense come into the match more relieved after dramatically securing qualification for the Libertadores round of 16 in midweek. Now, the team is looking to finish the first half of the season in the upper part of the Brasileirão table. Currently in third place, the side needs to win at Mineirão to keep its spot among the leaders.

For the match, Zubeldía will be forced to make changes to the team. Freytes and Nonato are suspended, while Canobbio was released to join the Uruguay national team. Hércules and Lucho Acosta were left out due to physical fatigue, while Castillo was rested for workload management. The coach himself is also suspended and will not lead the team from the touchline.

In addition to those absences, center-back Ignácio remains out as he recovers from a fracture of the fourth metacarpal in his right hand, and forward Matheus Reis is still recovering from surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.

Check out the squad list:

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