OneFootball
·10 April 2026
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·10 April 2026
Cruzeiro are going through a delicate moment in the Brazilian Championship, holding the unwanted distinction of the worst defense in the competition, with 20 goals conceded in 10 rounds.
At the center of the fans’ criticism is goalkeeper Matheus Cunha, the current first-choice keeper for Cruzeiro.
A comparison of the two goalkeepers’ numbers, compiled by ge, shows, however, that responsibility for the goals is shared equally with veteran Cássio, who is sidelined with an injury.
Although Matheus Cunha has been receiving most of the external pressure, the statistics reveal a similar defensive performance between the two goalkeepers in the current competition:
Matheus Cunha took over as the starter on an emergency basis during the match against Flamengo, when Cássio suffered a serious injury to his left knee. Since then, he has been Cruzeiro’s first-choice goalkeeper in five full matches.
For commentator Henrique Fernandes, the excessive pressure on Cunha is unfair, considering the context of a chaotic defense and the lack of options in the current squad:
"I understand Cruzeiro fans’ frustration with Cunha, but I think it’s not very smart to put even more pressure on him. Cruzeiro has nowhere else to turn. It’s Cunha or Otávio. [...] Cunha is okay as a backup, to mature and grow, but right now he’s the starter. He inherited a chaotic defense and a frustrated fan base. He’s going to be exposed. But it will be him until June."
Looking to bounce back and escape the relegation zone — the team are languishing in 19th place with only seven points from 30 available — Cruzeiro return to action this Sunday. Raposa will face Bragantino at 6:30 p.m. (Brasília time) in a match valid for the 11th round of the Brazilian Championship.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
📸 Wagner Meier - 2026 Getty Images
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