With Sampaoli, Atlético-MG begin preparations to face Cruzeiro | OneFootball

Atlético-MG began preparations this Wednesday (3rd) for the derby against Cruzeiro, which is the return leg of the Copa do Brasil quarter-finals. The activity marked Jorge Sampaoli's return to Cidade do Galo. The Argentine coach, announced this week for his second stint with the club, led his first training session with the squad after meeting with players, coaching staff, and staff at the training center's gym.

On the field, the athletes participated in a technical drill on the main pitch. Among the highlights, Bernard trained normally after recovering from dental surgery. Meanwhile, defender Ruan is still in the process of physical reconditioning, while Lyanco, with a left thigh injury, performed individual exercises. The medical department also includes Saravia, Patrick, Cadu, and Caio Maia.

Three important players are absent from Atlético-MG as they are on international duty: Junior Alonso (Paraguay), Ivan Román (Chile), and Alan Franco (Ecuador). They will return only after the 9th, when the South American World Cup Qualifiers conclude.

Sampaoli arrives at Galo accompanied by his trusted team: Gabriel Andreata (technical coordinator), Diogo Meschine (assistant), and fitness coaches Pablo and Marcos Fernandez. The Argentine coach will have just over a week to adjust the team, which is going through a delicate moment in the Brazilian Championship, where they are in 14th place, only two points above the relegation zone.

Atlético-MG's next match will be on September 11, against Cruzeiro, at 7:30 PM (Brasília time), at Mineirão. After losing the first leg 2-0, the black-and-white team needs a comeback to advance to the Copa do Brasil semi-finals. The match will mark Sampaoli's official return to the club, in a clash that could define the tone of his new tenure in Belo Horizonte.

Sampaoli's Return to Galo

Sampaoli's return to Atlético-MG comes after a failed negotiation with Santos. The coach was close to reaching an agreement with the São Paulo club, but talks did not progress due to the Peixe's financial limitations, which could not meet the demands for reinforcements.

Thus, Galo seized the opportunity and signed a deal until 2027, betting on the Argentine's experience to lead the team's recovery amid a challenging scenario in the Brazilian Championship and the task of overturning the deficit in the Copa do Brasil.

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