Ahead of Flamengo, Cruzeiro rest stars and beat Mirassol | OneFootball

Names like Gerson and Kaio Jorge started on the bench

Flamengo and Cruzeiro begin deciding a spot in the Libertadores round of 16 next Wednesday (12). With an eye on the important clash, the Belo Horizonte side rested starters this Sunday (09) against Mirassol in the 22nd round of the Brasileirão. Even without their strongest lineup at Mineirão, the home team won 3-1.

With the match against Flamengo in mind, coach Artur Jorge left some undisputed starters on the bench, such as Fabrício Bruno, Rojas, Gerson, and Kaio Jorge. The team was so heavily changed that even newly signed Zé Lucas, a former Sport defensive midfielder who had been on Flamengo’s radar for the U-20 team, started the match.

HOW DID THE MATCH GO?

Even with many reserves, Cruzeiro started better and did not take long to open the scoring. In the 12th minute, Fagner took a throw-in into the box, striker Bruno Rodrigues flicked it on with a header, and center back João Marcelo poked it into the back of the net in a set play.

However, Mirassol, which also has a Libertadores commitment midweek against LDU (ECU), did not take long to equalize. From the penalty spot, Reinaldo made it 1-1 in the 27th minute of the first half.

Even with the poor result at home, Artur Jorge only brought on top scorer Kaio Jorge in the 22nd minute of the second half, replacing another starter, Matheus Pereira. In addition, the Portuguese coach sent newly signed João Costa and Wesley onto the field.

And Kaio Jorge settled the match! Ten minutes after coming on, the striker received a through ball from Fagner, chipped the Mirassol defender with his right foot, and blasted it with his left: 2-1 on the scoreboard. There was still time for new signing Wesley to add another in the 39th minute.

WHEN WILL CRUZEIRO VS FLAMENGO BE?

Cruzeiro and Flamengo will decide a place in the Libertadores quarterfinals over the next two Wednesdays (12 and 19), both at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time). The first leg will be at Mineirão, and the second at Maracanã. The winner will face Tolima (COL) or Independiente del Valle (ECU).

WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S OPINION?

— Cruzeiro did the right thing by resting players. After all, the team had no rest because of the Copa do Brasil matches in midweek. Flamengo, on the other hand, has the obligation to go all out later today against Vitória. The Rubro-Negro need to regain their motivation by putting in a great performance against the team from Bahia — opined Pedro Paulo Catonho, journalist for Coluna do Fla.

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