Cruzeiro goes to Couto Pereira for a direct confrontation with Coritiba in the Brasileirão

The team from Minas Gerais is trying to provide an immediate response after the 1-0 defeat to Botafogo, in Belo Horizonte, a result that ended a sequence of nine unbeaten games for Artur Jorge's men. The objective is rehabilitation to continue fighting for the top positions in the table.

On the other hand, Coritiba is still looking for its first triumph since the resumption of the Brasileirão after the break for the World Cup. The team led by Fernando Seabra lost 3-1 to Palmeiras, at home, and, in the last round, drew goalless with Red Bull Bragantino, in Bragança Paulista. Now, in front of his fans, he tries to win again to gain an advantage over a direct competitor.

Cruzeiro has two important new additions to reinforce the midfield. Matheus Pereira and Gerson were suspended in the last round and should return to the starting lineup in place of Sinisterra, who suffered an injury against Botafogo, and Bruno Rodrigues, respectively.

Right-back Fagner was punished with the third yellow card in the setback for the Rio club and is missing from the Cruzeiro technical committee. The veteran's absence opens up space for William, who seeks to regain his space after a first half of the year that fell short of expectations.

Artur Jorge took advantage of the last press conference to ask for reinforcements with a view to continuing the season. The Portuguese defended that he needs more options to maintain the squad's level, highlighting that some injuries could make the technical committee's planning difficult, citing strikers Gabriel Pec and Sinisterra, who should stay away from the pitch until the end of the year.

"If we want to raise expectations, we have to reinforce our reality. The case of Gabriel Pec, who we signed and we didn't have more than 70 minutes with him, and Sinisterra, who we are still evaluating the severity of the injury. These are new facts. We have a short squad. This will never serve as an excuse, but it is a reality. We are less competitive. We have fewer options and solutions", he explained.

In addition to Gabriel Pec and Sinisterra, experienced goalkeeper Cássio is recovering from surgery on his left knee and increases the list of absences.

At Coritiba, goalkeeper Pedro Morisco is hoping to return to the field after five months without playing. He has recovered from a dislocation in his right shoulder and is competing for the starting spot with Pedro Rangel, who had been the starter.

Midfielder Vini Paulista, who completed 100 games with the Coxa shirt in the draw against Red Bull Bragantino, is suspended due to the accumulation of yellow cards. Sebastian Gómez, cleared to play after completing the concussion protocol rest period, is the favorite to fill the gap.

Coach Fernando Seabra valued the evolution of the Paraná team in the Brazilian Championship and stated that the group gained confidence for the second round. "We start this second round with a level of intensity and competitiveness that we didn't have when we started the championship. Of course, all teams evolve, but we understand that we have reason to have a lot of confidence depending on the way we are working and the evolution we are showing. It is very important to have a positive balance at home, so that we can remain at the top of the table, win again and bring joy to our fans."

TECHNICAL SHEET

CORITIBA

CORITIBA - Pedro Morisco; Tinga, Jacy, Tiago Cóser and Bruno Melo; Thiago Santos, Sebastián Gómez and Josué; Lucas Ronier, Pedro Rocha and Breno Lopes. Coach: Fernando Seabra.

CRUZEIRO - Otávio; William, Fabrício Bruno, Jonathan Jesus and Gabriel Rojas; Lucas Romero, Matheus Henrique and Matheus Pereira; Gerson, Kaio Jorge and Keny Arroyo. Coach: Artur Jorge.

REFEREE - Wagner do Nascimento Magalhães (RJ).

TIME - 9:30 pm.

LOCATION - Couto Pereira Stadium, in Curitiba (PR).