How Cruzeiro are shaping up to face Corinthians in the 2026 Brasileirão

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Central do Timão

·25 February 2026

How Cruzeiro are shaping up to face Corinthians in the 2026 Brasileirão

By Henrique Vigliotti/Timão Central Editorial

On Wednesday night, at 8 PM (Brasília time), Corinthians visits Cruzeiro at Mineirão, in a match valid for the fourth round of the 2026 Brazilian Championship. In the first three rounds, the Corinthians team had two wins and one loss – four goals scored and two conceded – and, in case of a victory, they could rise to the top of the competition, depending on tiebreaker criteria.

But do you know how the Alvinegro's opponent is arriving for the match? The Timão Central details Cruzeiro's situation so far this season. The team led by Tite arrives under pressure in the Brazilian Championship after winning the first leg of the Minas Gerais Championship semifinals against Pouso Alegre by 2-1 away, where they did not have winger Kenny Arroyo and forward Kaio Jorge, both rested for physical reasons.

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Photo: Gustavo Aleixo/Cruzeiro

In the first phase of the Minas Gerais Championship, the celestial team was heavily pressured, with coach Tite at serious risk of dismissal already during the state tournament after just a few games in charge of Cruzeiro. In the Brazilian Championship, for example, the club is at the bottom with only one point in the first three rounds, having been defeated by Botafogo, 4-0, by Coritiba 2-1, and drawing against Mirassol 2-2.

For the match against the Alvinegro, Cruzeiro is expected to be lined up with: Cássio; William (Fagner), Fabrício Bruno, Villalba, and Kaiki; Lucas Romero, Lucas Silva, Gerson, Christian (Arroyo), and Matheus Pereira; Kaio Jorge.

Law of the Ex:

Fagner:

Revealed in Corinthians' youth system in 2006, Fagner played 578 matches, becoming the seventh player to wear the Alvinegro jersey the most, and won five titles: three São Paulo Championships (2017, 2018, and 2019) and two Brazilian Championships (2015 and 2017). The right-back was loaned to the celestial club in January 2025 and, already in the 2026 season, officially terminated his contract before renewing for another year with the Minas Gerais team.

Cássio:

Arriving at Corinthians in 2012, Cássio built a huge history with the Alvinegro jersey, being one of the heroes of the Libertadores and Club World Cup in 2012, as well as winning the Brazilian Championships of 2015 and 2017, the state championships of 2013, 2017, 2018, and 2019, also having the 2013 South American Recopa in his gallery of titles won in 712 games for the Corinthians team.

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