Tite admits Cruzeiro's dip in form, calls for maturity after derby defeat

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·26 January 2026

Tite admits Cruzeiro's dip in form, calls for maturity after derby defeat

Cruzeiro was defeated 2-1, after a comeback, by Atlético on Sunday night (25), at Arena MRV, in a match valid for the first phase of the Campeonato Mineiro. After the match, coach Tite analyzed the performance of the celestial team and pointed out the drop in competitiveness in the second half as decisive for the negative result in the derby.

According to the coach, the game had “different stages.” Tite evaluated Cruzeiro’s first half positively, highlighting the control of play and the chances created, especially in build-up situations and counterattacks. In the second half, however, the scenario changed after the rival’s equalizing goal.

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“A game with different stages. First half controlling and having opportunities to build up and counterattack. A more balanced second half and at the moment we conceded the goal, that’s when it dropped. The team lowered its level of competitiveness, passing, ball possession, and then the opponent was incisive and scored to win the game.”

The coach also addressed the setbacks at the start of the season and the pressure for results. For Tite, the situation demands maturity from the squad.

“That’s the reality. Starting the Brasileiro, we are indeed under pressure in our group (of the Mineiro) and now the team needs to have maturity and strength to turn things around.”

Asked about the difficulties in facing teams set up with deeper defensive lines, Tite explained that Cruzeiro is seeking alternatives with greater presence in the box and variations in offensive movement, but emphasized that the process still requires more chemistry and a deeper understanding of the squad.

“The transition game seeks to have a more box-oriented player, we tried that with Chico and Kaio. To have a cross, or a quick ball, or through the middle. But also this process of chemistry, of movement, of knowledge—including my own. To know how the players can be used. For example, Gerson out wide, to have more possession, then inside. This structuring of the team is also to play in transition. Which wasn’t the case, it was circumstantial after Atlético’s 2-1.”

Regarding the impact of the defeat in the derby, Tite was direct in stating that learning also comes in the most painful moments.

“We learn by winning and losing, and this one is much more painful. Today we were ahead on the scoreboard, knowing how to manage, play more, have more possession or even when conceding the goal, have the ability to absorb it. There are different games within the game. To have a bit more balance.”

The team’s level of concentration also came up. The coach avoided talking about the frequency of mistakes but acknowledged the errors:

“I don’t know about the frequency. But there were mistakes, passing errors… but you need to have the ability at the back to hold it. But it was rushed. I don’t have the full diagnosis from last year, but I can say these moments are important, so as not to give the opponent that verticality, and that needs to be addressed.”

Finally, Tite praised Cruzeiro’s title in the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior and confirmed that players from the champion youth squad will be integrated into the professional team.

“We followed it – and congratulations to Cruzeiro and all its youth system for the title – we will now see, sit down, and bring in players who can be important for us. There are four players who will be added, or five. Baptistella, Ruan, Lelis, Murilo, and Vitor.”

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