After five years away from international competition, Cruzeiro returns to the CONMEBOL Sudamericana this Thursday (April 4), facing Ecuador’s Universidad Católica at 8 p.m. ET (9 p.m. Brasília time) at Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa in Quito. The match is part of Group B of the continental tournament.
The Minas Gerais club is splitting its attention with the Minas Gerais State Championship final, where it is battling rival Atlético-MG for the title. After a 2-2 draw at Arena MRV, the teams will play the second leg this Sunday (April 7) at Mineirão.
Because of the state final, coach Nicolás Larcamón may choose to rest some starters. Two confirmed absences are forwards Arthur Gomes and Juan Dinenno, who didn’t travel to Ecuador and are expected to be replaced by Barreal and Rafael Papagaio, respectively.
Universidad Católica, meanwhile, is unbeaten in the Ecuadorian league, sitting fourth with 10 points (three wins and a draw). Last Sunday (March 31), coach Jorge Célico fielded his starters, and the team routed Orense 5-1.
Probable lineups for Universidad Católica vs. Cruzeiro:
Universidad Católica: Romo; Anangonó, Grillo, Vallecilla and Loor; Martínez, Minda, Díaz and Luciano Nieto; Quevedo and Cifuente.
Cruzeiro: Rafael Cabral; Neris, João Marcelo and Zé Ivaldo; William, Lucas Silva, Cifuentes, Matheus Pereira and Marlon; Barreal and Rafael Papagaio.
In Brazil, Cruzeiro’s Sudamericana debut will stream live exclusively on ESPN’s Star+.
