With a win and the best record, Tite praises performance: “A step forward”

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Deus me Dibre

·9 February 2026

With a win and the best record, Tite praises performance: “A step forward”

Cruzeiro defeated América 2-0 in the seventh round of the Campeonato Mineiro, taking the best overall campaign in the competition, reaching 12 points with one round left in the qualifying phase. After the match, coach Tite valued the result at Mineirão, highlighted the team’s collective evolution, and emphasized the importance of balance on the field for the rest of the season.

According to the coach, the victory was necessary not only for the standings but also for the moment the team was experiencing. “We needed to get a win at home, at least because of the sequence we had, to give the fans a convincing victory that would translate into a step forward for the team,” he stated.

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Even with Cruzeiro leading the Mineiro overall, Tite reinforced that the analysis goes beyond the points and is mainly about the performance shown. The coach highlighted the team’s clarity after recent negative results and explained tactical adjustments that contributed to a more consistent performance.

“What I told the players was that now is a moment for clarity. We came from negative results, with all the adversities and pressures that a big club brings. The team needed to develop other ways to be compact, and they managed to do that. And this coordination between Matheus and Kaio, with the two midfielders behind Gerson and Romero, brought us compactness and allowed the back line of four defenders to push up. We had time to give the players opportunities so that when we used this formation, with a different positioning, that’s what happened.”

Tite also commented on the natural pressure of Brazilian football and highlighted the importance of continuity in the work, valuing the internal trust he has received. For the coach, maintaining the core of the squad was fundamental even during moments of fluctuation at the start of the season.

“That comes from conviction in the work, day by day, from the people in charge. I’m not going to talk about my history, because that’s football. One thing is certain: when the work continues, the possibility of success is greater. Especially regarding the players. Cruzeiro did the right thing by keeping its main players. Even with negative results, some fluctuation, a season start that’s only 31 days old, balancing the physical, technical, individual, mental aspects, and the pressure that sometimes makes us lose our heads.”

In his analysis of the game, Tite described Cruzeiro as more balanced on the field and highlighted the team’s offensive posture, especially in building plays and occupying spaces.

“It was more balanced. Of course, the goal gives you more tranquility, but we also did that against Coritiba. But football is 98 minutes, concentration has to be maintained. We should have scored 3 goals in the first half against Coritiba. Football is sometimes tough and in the first opportunity, effectiveness counts. In terms of balance, yes, but with a different setup. We gave total width to Kaiki and Arroyo. And inside, Matheus, Christian, and Kaio, so with this setup we had a very strong aggressiveness.”

Since taking over Cruzeiro, Tite has emphasized the need for a team balanced between defense and attack — something he highlighted again after the victory.

“I can’t escape the point of balance. I look at both sides, I can’t play with 5 defensive midfielders, I don’t like it, it’s not my style. If you don’t have the ball, you can’t create… but just attacking isn’t enough either. The need tends toward balance. The idea is a balanced team.”

Asked about the impact of the victory on his continuity in the job, the coach was direct in saying that the relief is only momentary. “Just tonight. Tomorrow it starts again. That’s football,” he declared.

Tite also explained the moment of discussion with his son and assistant Matheus in the technical area during the match, stating that the reprimand was due to excessive complaints about the refereeing.