Cruzeiro vs Atletico-MG - Copa Do Brasil

Tactical intrigue takes centre stage on August 26, 2026 as Cruzeiro and Atletico-MG prepare to square off at the home ground, with both managers known for their strategic nuance in the Copa Do Brasil. The 25-year-old suffered the injury after an inadvertent clash with his own team-mate as he and Mathias Olivera both challenged for possession late in the first half.

Positionally there is a clear hierarchy: Cruzeiro sit 12th, Atletico-MG lie 7th, but the Copa Do Brasil has a habit of defying such logic. Cruzeiro will be keen to seize the initiative and build some momentum on home soil. Atletico-MG's away form is hard to read, but they will arrive with the belief that they can trouble their hosts. During his 22 matches in charge, Oxford actually ranked as high as 14th in the table.

Wing play is likely to be central to the contest. Cruzeiro will look to stretch the pitch and isolate their wide attackers, while Atletico-MG must find a way to compress the space and choke the supply lines. Chelsea have been encouraged to consider a surprise move for Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, with former Red Devils midfielder Quinton Fortune believing the Cameroon international could suit their style of football.

The fixture features no shortage of talent, and the league's top marksman Carlos Vinícius — 3 goals this term — will be one to watch. Set-piece specialists and aerial threats on both sides mean dead-ball situations could carry outsized importance. One of McInnes' decisions will likely be who starts up front in the absence of captain Lawrence Shankland and fellow striker Youssef Chermiti.

Predicting an outright winner is no easy task given how little separates the two sides on paper. Atletico-MG look well-equipped to take the points on the road, with a 1-2 victory well within their reach. More than just three points is on the line at the home ground — this is a fixture that could shape the narrative of both clubs' seasons. The club are understood to favour a profile closer to Aurelien Tchouameni or a Premier League‑proven alternative rather than Manu Kone.