(photo: Alexandre Guzanshe/EM/DA Press and Paulo Paiva/Sport)
The mission is clear: to gain an advantage at home to decide more “lightly” abroad. In a great phase, Atlético is trying to extend its undefeated streak against Sport, at Arena MRV, in the first leg of the third phase of the Copa do Brasil. O On Attack brings all the information about the match to be played from 9:30 pm this Tuesday (30/4): where to watch it live, likely lineups, statements and much more.
Since the arrival of Argentine coach Gabriel Milito, Galo has not known what it is like to lose. The sequence has six wins and three draws and included the Campeonato Mineiro title, a “perfect” start in the Copa Libertadores and a promising start in Series A of the Brazilian Championship.
Last Saturday (27/4), even with a mixed team, Atlético dominated and beat Cuiabá at Arena Pantanal, in Cuiabá, 3-0. The duel was played in the fourth round of the Brasileirão.
As a black and white opponent, Sport is also going through an excellent moment. There are 13 games without defeat under the command of also Argentinean Mariano Soso, with the Pernambucano Championship title, second place in Series B of the Brazilian Championship and qualification to the semifinals of the Copa do Nordeste.
Last Friday (26/4), Leão da Ilha beat Vila Nova at Arena Pernambuco, in São Lourenço da Mata, 2-0. The match was valid for the second round of Series B.
Confrontation has history in the Copa do Brasil
Atlético and Sport have already faced each other for the Copa do Brasil in four seasons: 1995, 2002, 2003 and 2010. The record is favorable to Galo, who qualified in three of these opportunities (1995, 2002 and 2010).
The clashes took place, in order: for the first phase, the second phase, the quarter-finals and the round of 16 of the knockout tournament. In the last one, in 2010, Atlético won both matches: 1-0 at home and 2-0 away.
In 2024, the return game between the teams will be played at Arena Pernambuco. The duel will take place from 7pm on May 22nd.
Atlético boasts an undefeated streak against Sport
The Rooster is undefeated against the Lion under his control this century, according to figures from the oGol. The last defeat occurred in November 2000 and was the club’s worst in the history of the clash.
At Mineirão, the Minas Gerais team was beaten 6-0 by Sport, in the first phase of the Copa João Havelange – the name of the Brazilian Championship at the time. Leonardo scored five goals, and Taílson scored the other.
Since then, there have been 16 games played with Atlético as home team and 13 victories for the black and white team, in addition to three draws. The last of them was in 2021, in Série A. Diego Costa, Hulk and Eduardo Vargas scored the goals in the home team’s 3-0 victory at Gigante da Pampulha.
The positive record at home goes beyond the century. In 28 official games, Galo beat Sport 18 times, drew eight and lost only two. The other defeat came in 1993, at the Brazilian Championship.
Atlético x Sport: where to watch live
The duel for the third phase of the Copa do Brasil will be broadcast exclusively on closed TV and via subscription service on closed TV (pay-per-view).
Atlético x Sport: probable lineups
O On Attack Below, we present the probable lineups for the clash for the Copa do Brasil. See also the absences of Atlético and Sport.
Athletic
Without new casualties, the tendency is for coach Gabriel Milito to field Atlético with maximum strength against Sport. Over the weekend, against Cuiabá, the Argentine had the opportunity to preserve important pieces in the Brazilian Championship victory.
Usually starters, defender Jemerson, left-back Guilherme Arana, midfielder Rodrigo Battaglia and striker Hulk were rested against Dourado – the black and white “superhero” didn’t even travel to Mato Grosso. The quartet should return to Galo’s starting 11 in the clash against Sport.
The main doubt in Atlético’s lineup is precisely related to the use of Battaglia – as a defender, as he was used in recent commitments, or as a midfielder. In the second case, he could replace Otávio or Alan Franco, giving space to Bruno Fuchs (or Mauricio Lemos) in defense.
- Atlético’s probable lineup: Everson; Saravia, Battaglia (Bruno Fuchs or Mauricio Lemos), Jemerson and Guilherme Arana; Otávio (Battaglia), Alan Franco (Battaglia), Zaracho and Gustavo Scarpa; Paulinho and Hulk
- Atlético’s Hanging: There is not
- Atlético absences: Rubens (left knee sprain) and Paulo Vitor (left ankle ligament rupture)
Sport
Coach Mariano Soso is counting on an important return to Sport to face Atlético. This is striker Chrystian Barletta, who traveled with the Leão delegation to Belo Horizonte after recovering from muscle discomfort.
- Probable Sport lineup: Caique France; Pedro Lima, Rafael Thyere, Luciano Castán and Felipinho; Felipe, Fabricio Domínguez (Chrystian Barletta), Tití Ortíz (Fábio Matheus) and Lucas Lima; Romarinho and Gustavo Coutinho
- Hanging from Sport: Fabricio Domínguez
- Sport absences: Dénis (surgical procedure on the left knee), Pedro Martins (discomfort on the left thigh), Alan Ruiz (discomfort on the left thigh) and Zé Roberto (surgical procedure on the left knee)
Atlético x Sport: the characters
Paulinho, Atlético striker: “Every game we enter as if it were a final. Milito has been passing this on to us on a daily basis, in preparation for all the games. This is important to keep us always alert, with a feeling of urgency. Knowing that each competition has its value, which is very important. Galo enters all competitions to fight for the title. So, it will be another tough game, another difficult knockout game. We are very prepared to face this battle and emerge victorious, with a lot of work.”
Mariano Soso, Sport coach: “We share intentions. He (Gabriel Milito) plays a lot with the most important instrument that we think the game has, which is the ball. Builds a lot. He is a coach who tries to win the ball back in short periods of time. We have to focus attention on our virtues and have the ability to neutralize the virtues that I believe the opponent has.”
Atlético x Sport: arbitration
- Referee: Bruno Mota Correia (RJ)
- Assistants: Thiago Rosa de Oliveira (RJ) and Daniel de Oliveira Alves Pereira (RJ)
- VAR: Rodrigo D’Alonso Ferreira (SC)
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