Cruzeiro loses to Criciúma and moves away from the G4 of the Brazilian Championship

Cruzeiro suffered its second consecutive defeat in the Brazilian Championship. This Wednesday (3), the team from the sky-blue team lost 1-0 to Criciúma, at the Heriberto Hülse stadium, in Santa Catarina, in the 14th round of the competition. The goal of the game was scored by Congolese Bolasie.

With the defeat, Cruzeiro dropped to eighth place , with 20 points, after 13 games. The team from Celeste has one less game, since the game against Internacional, valid for the fifth round, was postponed due to heavy rains in Rio Grande do Sul.

With this sequence of defeats (Flamengo and Criciúma), Cruzeiro dropped three positions in the standings. Before losing to Fla, the team from Celeste was in fifth place.

After two away games, Cruzeiro’s next match will be against Corinthians, this Sunday (7), at 4 pm (Brasília time), at Mineirão. Criciúma visits Vitória, on the same day, at 6:30 pm.

The game

Cruzeiro dominated the first half and created more chances. Despite the volume, Fernando Seabra’s team wasted opportunities.

The Celeste team had more possession of the ball in the first half (60%) and shot 11 times at Gustavo’s goal, who made four interventions.

Cruzeiro had a great chance in the 16th minute. After a scramble inside the area, the ball fell to defender Zé Ivaldo. The number 5, in front of the goal, shot straight at goalkeeper Gustavo.

In the second half, a fatal blow right at the beginning. After 30 seconds, Bolasie scored the goal for Criciúma, after a collective failure by Cruzeiro’s defensive system.

Cruzeiro’s dominance in the first half, even after the goal, continued into the second half. However, the team from Celeste was unable to translate its greater possession into effective chances. It was the famous sterile dominance, without the productivity needed to tie the match.

Confusion after the final whistle

After the end of the game, a brawl broke out in the center of the Heriberto Hülse pitch. Players and members of the coaching staff from both teams argued in a more aggressive manner, with shoving and insults.

On Cruzeiro’s side, the most excited were Matheus Pereira, Neris, Lucas Villalba and Wesley Gasolina. At Criciúma, coach Cláudio Tencati, Arthur Caíke and Eder were also excited.

Debut with Seabra

Right-back Helibelton Palacios made his first appearance of the season under coach Fernando Seabra. Chosen to replace William, who was suspended after picking up a third yellow card, the Colombian had only played once this season.

Palacios’ only match this year was in Cruzeiro’s 2-1 victory over Villa Nova on January 24 at the Castor Cifuentes stadium in Nova Lima. At the time, Nicolas Larcamón was the coach of the team and selected the Colombian as a defender.

Criciúma with several ex-Cruzeiro players

The match marked the reunion of four Criciúma players with Cruzeiro. Marcelo Hermes, Allano, Marquinhos Gabriel and Arthur Caíke have already worn the sky-blue shirt and come face to face with their former club.

Of the quartet, only Hermes started in the starting lineup. The others were on the bench.

Allano played for Cruzeiro between 20215 and 2017. Marcelo Hermes wore the star-studded shirt between 2018 and 2020. Marquinhos Gabriel played for Toca da Raposa II between 2019 and 2020. Arthur Caíke played for the club between 2020 and 2021.

Game Timeline

At 30 seconds into the second half, Marcelo Hermes crossed into the box, Cruzeiro’s defense failed. Claudinho crossed low and found Bolasie, who, alone, pushed the ball into the back of the net. The play was validated by the video referee, after a possible offside was ruled out:  1-0 .

In the 46th minute of the second half, striker Allano received his second yellow card, and consequently a red card, after delaying the resumption of the match.

At the end of the match, a fight broke out in the middle of the pitch. Players from Cruzeiro and Criciúma, as well as members of the coaching staff, argued in a blatant manner.

CRUZEIRO 1 X 0 CRICIUMA

Criciuma

Gustavo; Claudinho, Walisson Maia, Rodrigo and Miguel Trauco; Barreto, Ronald Lopes (Fellipe Mateus), Marcelo Hermes and Matheusinho (Newton); Eder (Arthur Caíke) and Bolasie (Allano). Coach: Claudio Tencati

cruise

Anderson; Palacios (Arthur Viana), Ze Ivaldo, João Marcelo and Kaiki (Matheus Vital); Lucas Romero, Lucas Silva (Vitinho), Ramiro (Álvaro Barreal) and Matheus Pereira; Arthur Gomes (Robert) and Gabriel Veron. Coach Fernando Seara

Reason:  14th round of the Brazilian Championship
Location:  Heriberto Hulse Stadium, in Criciúma (SC)
Date and time:  July 3, 2024, Wednesday (3), at 8 pm (Brasília time)
Referee:  Joao Vitor Gobi (SP)
Assistants:  Luiz Alberto Andrini Nogueira (SP) and Daniel Luis Marques (SP)
VAR:  Paulo Renato Moreira da Silva Coelho (RJ)
Goal:  Bolasie (30s 2nd half)
Yellow card:  Zé Ivaldo, João Marcelo (CRU); Matheusinho (CRI)
Red card:  Allano (Criciúma)
Total audience:  12,352
Gross revenue:  R$ 490,140.00