Cruzeiro confirm Villalba injury, out against Corinthians | OneFootball

Cruzeiro will have another absence for the second leg of the Copa do Brasil semifinal against Corinthians this Sunday at 6 PM (Brasília time). The Minas Gerais club announced that defender Lucas Villalba suffered a ligament injury in his left ankle during the first leg and is therefore a confirmed absence for the decisive match at Neo Química Arena.

Cruzeiro also informed that they will follow a conservative treatment with Villalba, who does not require surgical intervention. Additionally, the defender was immediately handed over to the club's Health and Performance Department.

The Incident

Villalba was injured towards the end of the first half. After Yuri Alberto and Fabrício Bruno went to head a ball, the Corinthians forward lost balance and fell on Villalba's left leg, who came off worse.

To avoid using a substitution in the first half, Villalba played through the pain until halftime, when he was replaced by Jonathan Jesus, who is expected to start for Cruzeiro this Sunday.

Photo: Gustavo Aleixo / Cruzeiro

Absences and a Tough Mission

Villalba's absence adds to the absence of Lucas Romero, who was booked in the first leg and is therefore suspended for the return leg this Sunday. Another player who will not play is full-back Fagner, who is out of the matches as he is on loan from Corinthians.

With a 1-0 victory at Mineirão, Timão has the advantage of a draw in Itaquera, while Raposa will need to win the match to take the decision, at the very least, to a penalty shootout.

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