Cruzeiro Defeats Internacional

By: AJ | August 6th, 2007

So once again Cruzeiro managed to fade in the last minutes of this one, final score 3-2 for the boys in blue. Oh before I forget, my apologies for commenting that our next game was against Flamengo, turns out CBF “altered” the schedule, so neither Flamengo nor Cruzeiro played mid-week, which gave Cruzeiro a much needed bit of rest. Now back to the game…

What is most important is the victory and beating the team marketed as the “best in the world”, Inter (who were Pato-less), is always a good thing. The match was good with some solid performances by Roni and especially Wagner, who was terrific. Again Cruzeiro played “weakened” because Guilherme wasn’t able to play (suspended). A player of Guilherme’s caliber is always good to have on the field, but even without him (and without Araújo, who was sold mid-week) Cruzeiro managed to find players who can score. Cruzeiro’s defense though, which has been heavily critiqued, isn’t really the problem, I think what needs to be improved on the most is mentality. Cruzeiro’s attack has been doing it’s job, both in the Botafogo and Inter game Cruzeiro managed to go 3-0 up and the defense did it’s job for most of the game, but in the last few minutes of both games Cruzeiro conceded two goals and has had to settle for a 3-2 victory on both occasions. Both games Cruzeiro should have won 3-0. So it really isn’t the defense that is that bad, it’s really the entire team’s fault because they completely space out in the last 10 minutes or so. So one again I’ll say it, the problem has more to do with mentality than anything else.

Transfer
Cruzeiro need a leader in the field, the closest they have to a leader is Roni, who is experienced and talented, but the problem is that Roni plays too far forward, Cruzeiro need a leader in the back and quite frankly I don’t think they have one. Cruzeiro were supposedly going to buy Scotti (experienced Uruguayan international and defender) and/or Anderson (Brazilian defender who is a starter for Benfica). Scotti has renewed his contract with his old club, so he isn’t going to come. Anderson, though, who seems to be a pretty big name, would be a great addition to Cruzeiro’s back line, (he’s a starter for a major European side, Benfica) he is experienced, 27 years old and could possible become a commander in our back line. The problem is that his deal should have been wrapped up last week at the latest and it seems now that he may not come. Here is where a sigh. Our directors never bring anyone decent to the club and I know it is hard for a Brazilian club to do so, but just this one time Cruzeiro! Anyway, Cruzeiro beat Inter in a game worth six points and are now in fourth and have a game in hand over most of the league, let’s see how far we will get this season.

Next Round
Next up for the Celestials is Sport, who came up from the second division this year and have been playing attractive football and racking up points. This game, like almost every game, will be crucial for Cruzeiro’s Libertadores and maybe title hopes. A win mid-week this week would be exactly the sort of inspiration that Cruzeiro will need to fight for a top spot this year. And you Cruzeiro and Brazilian football fans, where do you see Cruzeiro this year? Are we going to stay where we are (in the top 4, Libertadores), improve (challenge for the title) or get worst (Sudamericana or lower)? Who will win this years title? Do Flamengo or Corinthians have a chance to go down? Who is the surprise team so far? Let me know how you feel about Cruzeiro or any of the other clubs this year.

The Game
Cruzeiro 3 x 2 Internacional, Sunday, August 5th, 2007, 3:00 ET - Mineirão, 17th round of the Campeonato Brasileiro 2007 – Attendance: 20,463 paid, 23,002 present – Profit: R$278,132.50 - Referee: Wilson Souza de Mendonça (PE-FIFA) – Assistant Referees: Josemar J. D. Moutinho and Luciano J. C. Cruz (PE) - Yellow Card(s): Guiñazu and Wellington Monteiro (Int) – Red Card(s): none – Goals: Leandro Domingues, 27th, Roni (penalty), 51st, Alecsandro, 80th, Iarley, 88th, Adriano, 90th minute - Cruzeiro: Fábio; Jonathan, Emerson, Thiago Heleno and Fernandinho; Leo Silva (Paulinho Dias) and Ramires; Leandro Domingues and Wagner; Marcinho (Alecsandro) and Roni (Nenê). Manager: Dorival Júnior. / Internacional: Clemer; Magal (Luciano Henrique), Índio, Marcão, and Rubens Cardoso; Wellington Monteiro, Magrão (Jonas), Guiñazu e Pinga; Iarley and Christian (Adriano). Manager: Alexandre Gallo.

All the Goals & All the Plays

Leandro Domingues’ Goal