Internacional and Atlético-MG face off in the Brasileirão before classics in the Copa do Brasil

Interestingly, this game will precede the clashes of two state classics scheduled for next week in the quarterfinals of the Copa do Brasil. Internacional will face Grêmio, in the traditional Gre-Nal, on Thursday, while on Tuesday, Atlético-MG will face Cruzeiro.

Internacional is going through a bad streak, as it has been seven games without winning, with four straight defeats and another three draws. In the last three games, however, they faced vice-leader Flamengo (1-1) and leader Palmeiras (0-0), as well as Remo (1-1).

Their last victory came on May 16, when they beat Vasco 4-1 at home. With this weak campaign, they appear in 16th place, one outside the Z-4, with 24 points.

To assemble the team, coach Paulo Pezzolano will not be able to count on left-back Matheus Bahia, who received his third yellow card. Aguirre can be improvised in the sector, keeping Bernabei more advanced. Retreating Bernabei and bringing in another striker is also an option.

This week, the board presented Swedish winger Niclas Eliasson and Paraguayan center forward Sanabria, who have already been regularized. Only Niclas, however, should be listed.

In addition to needing to react, Inter has to think about the quarter-finals of the Copa do Brasil, in which they face rival Grêmio on Thursday. Pezzolano was clear about the priority. "Without a doubt, the most important thing is the Brasileirão, but the club is huge and needs to think about everything. We will give 100% importance to the next game."

Atlético-MG also has a classic in the Copa do Brasil, against Cruzeiro, on Tuesday. Coach Eduardo Dominguez can spare some pieces because of this. What is certain is that right-back Preciado is suspended for his third yellow card and will not play. Therefore, Nathanael should be the starter. Another casualty is midfielder Victor Hugo, who began treatment for edema in his thigh.

Striker Thiago Borbas, who belongs to Red Bull Bragantino and did not play in midweek, is an option. Midfielder Fred, recently arrived and back in Brazil after 13 years, has been regularized and is available.

Atlético arrives motivated after eliminating Red Bull Bragantino on Wednesday and advancing to the quarterfinals of the Copa Sudamericana to face Santos. They held on to a 2-2 draw with São Paulo and qualified because they won the first game 1-0.

In the Brasileirão, they have been unbeaten for five games, with three wins and two draws. In the last round, they beat Grêmio 3-0 at home and reached 32 points, in eighth place. The team starts looking at the G-4, closed by Fluminense, with 38 points. In the first round, Atlético did better by beating Internacional 1-0, in Belo Horizonte (MG).

TECHNICAL SHEET

INTERNATIONAL X ATLÉTICO-MG

INTERNATIONAL - Matheus Cunha; Vitinho, Bruno Gomes, Mercado, Maripán and Aguirre; Villagra, Bruno Henrique and Bernabei; Alan Patrick and Carbonero. Coach: Paulo Pezzolano.

ATLÉTICO-MG - Everson; Natanael, Ruan, Vitor Hugo and Renan Lodi; Alan Franco, Maycon, Cissé and Bernard; Cuello and Cassierra. Coach: Eduardo Dominguez.

REFEREE - Lucas Casagrande (PR).

TIME - 6:30 pm.

LOCATION - Beira-Rio Stadium, in Porto Alegre (RS).