Cruzeiro v Fortaleza: aiming to bounce back in tight contest | OneFootball

The clash between Cruzeiro and Fortaleza has been marked by balance in recent years of the Brazilian Championship. Since 2019, the clubs have faced each other seven times, with a slight advantage for the team from Ceará, who have three wins, compared to two for Cruzeiro and two draws. The tie in the number of goals (7 to 7) further highlights the parity between the teams during this period.

The first meeting in this period ended with a 2-1 victory for Fortaleza at Castelão, while Cruzeiro responded in the return leg, drawing 1-1 at Mineirão. After returning to Série A in 2023, the team from Minas Gerais faced their opponent again: a 1-0 defeat at home and a win by the same score at Castelão.

In 2024, there was a 1-1 draw in the first round and a 2-1 win for Fortaleza in Cariacica. In the most recent clash, in May 2025, Cruzeiro came out on top once again away from home, winning 2-0 and narrowing the gap in the head-to-head record.

Currently, Cruzeiro is enjoying a good run as hosts. The team has 32 points at home, just three fewer than Palmeiras, who face Flamengo this Sunday (19). That’s 10 wins, two draws, and two losses at Mineirão, with 26 goals scored and 11 conceded, a performance almost identical to the league leaders from São Paulo.

Fortaleza, on the other hand, is trying to bounce back. The team is in 18th place, inside the relegation zone, with 24 points, seven fewer than Santos, the first team outside the drop zone.

Team situation for the match

Coach Leonardo Jardim will have an important reinforcement: defender Fabrício Bruno, who was with the Brazilian National Team, returns and should partner with Villalba. On the other hand, he will be without Cássio (concussion protocol), Kaio Jorge (suspended), Kaiki (suspended), Fagner and Matheus Henrique (injured). Gabigol is expected to start up front, while the young Kauã Prates, 17 years old, should take the left-back position. In goal, Léo Aragão will replace Cássio. Forward Luis Sinisterra is still recovering from injury and is unlikely to be included.

At Fortaleza, coach Martín Palermo is also dealing with key absences. Adam Bareiro, Benjamín Kuscevic, Pablo Roberto, Gastón Ávila, and Deyverson are all suspended. In addition, the medical department includes João Ricardo, Benevenuto, Lucas Crispim, Matheus Pereira, and Allanzinho, all of whom are out of the trip to Belo Horizonte.

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