Romero misses the trip and is out of Cruzeiro's Libertadores opener | OneFootball

Cruzeiro will have one confirmed absence for its Copa Libertadores debut. Midfielder Lucas Romero was left out of the squad and did not travel with the group to Guayaquil, Ecuador, missing the team’s first match in the continental competition against Barcelona-EQU, scheduled for Tuesday (7) at 9 p.m.

The decision is related to physical management. According to reports by ge, confirmed by the portal, the Argentine showed signs of fatigue and muscle pain, which led the coaching staff to choose to rest the player, avoiding risks right at the start of a demanding run of matches.

Romero’s situation had already drawn attention since the last match, against São Paulo, in the Brazilian Championship. Even though he traveled with the squad, the player was left out of the matchday roster.

On that occasion, the choice was also made out of caution. The player had been under monitoring after recent physical issues — including a rib fracture

Now, being left off the trip for the Libertadores reinforces the planning of the football department, which is prioritizing having the player fully fit throughout the season.

Without Romero, coach Artur Jorge loses an important piece in the team’s defensive balance. A frequent starter, the Argentine is considered one of the pillars of the midfield, especially because of his marking ability and leadership on the pitch.

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