Analysis: Cruzeiro misses chances, flirts with a worse result and disappoints again in the South American Championship | cruise

It seemed like it would be an easy game, with a result built in the first half. It was just an impression, because it almost ended with La Calera winning. After a good start in Concepción, with an incredible chance missed by Rafael Elias, Cruzeiro flirted with defeat in Conmebol Sul-Americana and disappointed again.

In three continental tournament games, Cruzeiro has three points. They failed to beat La Calera, second to last in the Chilean Championship and who did not win at home this season. It has three wins in all of 2024.

The 0-0 draw added to the disappointment in the tournament. It had already happened with Alianza, also second to last, but in the Colombian Championship. But in an even worse situation: Cruzeiro opened 3-0, after extensive dominance in the first half, and drew in the second half.

Cruzeiro was unable to beat two teams that were fighting not to fall in their national tournaments. Results that raise the alarm for the team’s performance in 2024.

In the South American Championship, the team struggled in the fight for first place, running the risk of being left out of the tournament in the group stage. It will take a recovery race, even knowing that Group B is balanced.

Recovery in results and performance. In a first half that had plenty of space to attack, Cruzeiro largely dominated the field of play, without suffering any dangerous attacks from La Calera. He had almost 65% possession of the ball, with 11 shots (and only three from the Chilean).

He managed to score more than one goal, but was unable to be effective. He had a clear chance from Rafael Elias, a cross shot from Barreal, which went close (the Argentine finished again), as well as two submissions with Mateus Vital and one with Romero. He failed in finishing and also in the best play options.

In the second half, he returned at a different pace and saw La Calera improve, exploring the play he likes most: the aerial ball. Cruzeiro conceded a goal, but it was disallowed. At the end of the game, with a changed team, Raposa was unable to create rhythm and return to control of the game. He even flirted with defeat against the Chilean team, who faced danger from high balls.

Cruzeiro reached their third game without a win of the season and have not yet managed to give an effective signal to change the current situation. With little training time and marathon games, Fernando Seabra has a lot of work ahead of him to get the team back on the path to triumph.