Cruzeiro’s Out of Copa (and I’m not sad).

By: AJ | August 23rd, 2007

Cruzeiro has been eliminated from the Copa Sudamericana, with a final score of 2-1 on aggregate. Cruzeiro played a good game and shouldn’t be blamed for the elimination. Was I somewhat disappointed? Yes. Did I beat myself up over it? Nope. What are my reasons?

1.) Bad refereeing - In the first leg, Goiás won 2-0, with contraversial calls by the referee, especial when he awarded a last minute penalty that didn’t really exist.

2.) Cruzeiro B - Cruzeiro put out their B team in the Sudamericana and what do you expect when you put out a B team? Elimination.

3.) The post - Goiás played a good defensive game last night, but if it wasn’t for the all mighty post Cruzeiro would have scored more goals.

4.) Goiás’ defense - Goiás’ defense was practically uncrackable. Goiás played São Paulo last weekend and not even São Paulo’s A team, arguably the best in Brazil, could score on Goiás and the match ended up 0-0. Goiás played even more defensively against Cruzeiro and it was actually incredible Cruzeiro managed to score!

5.) No Roni, no Guilherme - Of course one of the other reasons Cruzeiro didn’t advance was because our two key goalscorers didn’t even play a minute last night.

6.) Advantages of being eliminated - less games, while our opponents in the Brazilian championship have more.

7.) Complete focus in Brazil - Cruzeiro will now have play completely focused in the Brazilian championship.

Overview
Overall, I feel that Cruzeiro played with “raça”, which means class and superiority. It’s just that Goiás’ defense was just to strong. Oh yea… congrats to Jonathan, Thiago Heleno and Ramires, three players that, I feel, had a breakout game.

The Game
Cruzeiro 1 x 0 Goiás (aggregate Cruzeiro 1 x 2 Goiás), Wednesday, August 22nd, 2007, 8:45 ET, Mineirão, Second leg of the first round of the Copa Sudamericana 2007 – Attendance: 11,409 paid, 12,656 present – Profit: R$52,947.50 – Referee: Wagner Tardelli (SC) Walter Reis and Ednilson Corona – Yellow card(s): Ernando, Vítor, Cleber Gúcho, Elson, Fábio Bahia (Goi); Wagner, Charles, Thiago Heleno (Cru) – Red(s): Elson (Goi) – Goals: Thiago Heleno, 14th minute – Cruzeiro: Fábio; Jonathan (Diego), Emerson, Thiago Heleno and Fernandinho (Marcinho); Charles and Ramires, Leandro Domingues and Wagner; Alecsandro and Nenê (Marcelo Moreno). Manager: Dorival Júnior / Goiás: Harlei; Fábio Bahia, Leonardo and Ernando; Vítor (Fernando Miguel), Amaral, Cléber Gaúcho, Élson, Paulo Baier and Chiquinho; Cristiano (Fábio). Tec: Paulo Bonamigo - Historically – Cruzeiro and Goiás have played 40 matches. Cruzeiro has won 21, tied 9, lost 10; scored 54 goals, conceded 43. In 25 games of the Brazilian Championship, Cruzeiro has won 13, tied 6 and lost 6, scored 37, conceded 28 goals. In the Copa Sudamericana, 4 games: Cruzeiro has won 2, tied 1, lost 1, scored 6 goals, conceded 6.