Vitor Roque v Kaio Jorge: Palmeiras face Cruzeiro in Copa do Brasil | OneFootball

Called to compete for the number 9 jersey of the Brazilian National Team in the coming years, Vitor Roque and Kaio Jorge face off this Sunday in a crucial match between Palmeiras and Cruzeiro, valid for the 30th round of the Brasileirão, in a scenario with minimal margin for error.

Palmeiras shares the lead with Flamengo, both with 61 points, while Cruzeiro is right behind with 56, although with one more game played. Meanwhile, Mengão visits Fortaleza, which is fighting to avoid relegation.

Palmeiras relies on Vitor Roque to bounce back

After losing 3-2 to Flamengo and suffering a 3-0 defeat to LDU in the first leg of the Libertadores semifinals, Abel Ferreira's team is counting on Vitor Roque's goals to bounce back.

The 20-year-old forward has scored 13 goals in the Brasileirão and is the most expensive player in South American football history, after the São Paulo club paid 25.5 million euros to Barcelona at the beginning of the year.

In the scoring chart, he is only surpassed by the Uruguayan Giorgian De Arrascaeta from Flamengo and Kaio Jorge, both with 15 goals. Even so, Abel Ferreira faces the dilemma of resting starters with an eye on the return leg of the Libertadores.

Photo: Cesar Greco / Palmeiras

Kaio Jorge returns as Cruzeiro's hope

To stay in the title race, Cruzeiro places its trust in the return of Kaio Jorge, who is back after serving a suspension. The forward has 26 matches and 15 goals in the competition.

“A league championship is a test of consistency over many months. It is a test of endurance,” said coach Leonardo Jardim, emphasizing that his team still has real chances of winning the title.

Photo: Gustavo Aleixo / Cruzeiro

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