08/11/2014

Brazil Giants Cruzeiro and Atletico Mineiro Enter into Battle in Cup Cracker | Bleacher Report

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Brazil Giants Cruzeiro and Atletico

Mineiro Enter into Battle in Cup
Cracker
By Robbie Blakeley , Special to Bleacher Report
Nov 7, 2014
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08/11/2014

Brazil Giants Cruzeiro and Atletico Mineiro Enter into Battle in Cup Cracker | Bleacher Report

It's not a tale of two cities, rather a tale of two giants from the same city. There is no doubt which
metropolis reigns supreme in domestic Brazilian football in 2014: Belo Horizonte.
This month, across two legs, the two juggernauts, Cruzeiro and Atletico Mineiro, will lock horns in a grand
final. The prize? The Brazilian Cup.
Aside from the fact that a fiercely fought classico will decide a major national title, it pins two forces of
considerable strength against one another.
Cruzeiro are the defending Brazilian league champions after romping to the title last December. They look
odds on to retain the championship, currently holding a five-point lead over closest rivals Sao Paulo with
six rounds left to play.
Not only are they considered the finest side in the land, they have a team brimming with international
potential. Central defender Dede has long been viewed as a potential successor to Thiago Silva. On his day,
he is the proverbial brick wall no one can bulldoze their way through.

Washington Alves/Getty Images

Everton Ribeiro is just one Cruzeiro star with international potential.
Midfielder Lucas Silva has been linked with some of Europe's biggest clubs throughout this season, whilst,
further forward, Everton Ribeiro and Ricardo Goulart have recently been given chances to prove themselves
worthy of the famous yellow shirt by Brazil boss Dunga.
And Atletico, winners of the 2013 Copa Libertadores, are sitting fifth in the table and threatening to qualify
for next season's edition of the South American Champions League.
Yesterday afternoon, as confirmed by ESPN Brasil (link in Portuguese), Atletico president Alexandre Kalil
confirmed his club would play the home leg at the Estadio Independencia, their fortitude for some
victories during their Libertadores success 12 months previously.
Smaller and more compact than the Mineirao, used during the World Cup, when the crowd are whipped up
into a frenzy, the atmosphere can be enormously intimidating for opponents, even if they are from the same
city.
Atletico have lost just one of their last six Brasileirao outings and under coach Levir Culpi are playing some
scintillating football. They have lost Ronaldinho and Bernard, the two creative forces that drove them on
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08/11/2014

Brazil Giants Cruzeiro and Atletico Mineiro Enter into Battle in Cup Cracker | Bleacher Report

towards that continental crown last year.

Just days ago, Selecao striker Jo was suspended for 30 days following a serious breach of discipline whilst
staying in a hotel with the side, as reported by the club's official website (link in Portuguese).
Yet, despite these setbacks, on they march.
Led by new Brazil No. 9 Diego Tardelli, ably supported by Carlos and the bulldog-like Luan, Atletico have a
force that can match their powerful rivals. Indeed, in league meetings this season, it is Atletico who have
triumphed, emerging victorious on both occasions.

Pedro Vilela/Getty Images

Diego Tardelli celebrates Atletico's progress at the expense of Flamengo.
They have shown their dogged spirit over the last two rounds of the cup. Galo have now eliminated Brazil's
two biggest clubs, Corinthians and Flamengo, in identical circumstances.
Going 2-0 down from both first legs and falling behind in the second, Atletico needed four goals to
progress, and in successive ties they turned it on at the right time.
In little Luan, they have an absolute giant of a player, a creative energy who has stepped up admirably in
the absence of former heroes. In addition, goalkeeper Victor proved he has not been tainted by the country's
World Cup debacle, making a smart save at the death to maintain his club's advantage on Wednesday
night.
This could be billed as the underdogs against the higher power. Plucky Atletico, in their smaller, less
glamorous stadium, up against the pacesetters in their modernised, engulfing arena.
But Atletico have shown, not only in this cup run but their recent league form, that they are a force to be
reckoned with in their own right. In a dazzling second-half display on Wednesday night, Culpi's troops
showed they are capable of beating the odds whilst putting on a show all of their own.
The final of this year's Copa do Brasil could not have been planned better by the script writers. Two great
rivals, two of the greatest teams in the country, one glittering prize.
It's all to play for.

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08/11/2014

Brazil Giants Cruzeiro and Atletico Mineiro Enter into Battle in Cup Cracker | Bleacher Report

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Brazil Giants Cruzeiro and Atletico Mineiro Enter into Battle in Cup Cracker | Bleacher Report

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