Cruzeiro: Marlon vents about criticism from fans and projects continuation in Series A

after the draw against Unión La Calera, in Chile, for the Copa Sudamericana, Marlon designed Cruzeiro’s sequence of games in Series A of the Brazilian Championship. In a bad phase and under the distrust of the fans, the celestial team will face Vitória on Sunday (28), at 4pm (Brasília time), at Mineirão, in Belo Horizonte.

In an interview given in Concepción, Chile, the left-back analyzed the fans’ criticism regarding Cruzeiro’s latest matches.

“We have three finals now in the South American Championship and two home games against Vitória and Internacional in the Brazilian Championship. They are highly qualified teams, who know that Cruzeiro will do everything to win. It’s very easy to throw stones when things aren’t right and, as professionals, we have a strong mentality. It’s about enduring the pressure and doing everything possible to seek victories. Everyone here believes in Cruzeiro. I believe, I know the fans believe. Take whatever time it takes, we will do everything we can to win again,” he said.

Faced with another bad result, Marlon also commented on the “game marathon” that Cruzeiro has been experiencing since April and the need to rotate the squad. Against La Calera, coach Fernando Seabra made seven changes among the starters.

“It’s exhausting when the result doesn’t come, when things don’t happen. We are working to try to improve, to try to win. The marathon is not just difficult for Cruzeiro, it is difficult for the other teams too. We managed to freshen up the team a little, add other players who had less time to play”, he added.

Cruzeiro reached three points and continued in third position in the bracket. The Chileans are in second place, with four points. The aggravating factor for Cruzeiro was the Universidad Católica’s victory against Alianza, away from home. The result left the Ecuadorians isolated in the lead, with seven points, while the Colombians are at the bottom, with one point.

What does Cruzeiro need to do to be a leader?

To be the leader of the group, in the scenario in which it will depend on fewer combinations of results, the team from Cruzeiro will have to win the three remaining games and “dry” Universidad Católica against Alianza or Unión La Calera, both in Ecuador.

The second-placed team in each South American group will compete in a round-trip playoff. On occasions, the teams will face the third placed teams in the Copa Libertadores groups.

For the 4th round of Group B, Cruzeiro will visit Alianza on Tuesday (7/5), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), in Valledupar, Colombia.

Fan charges have increased in recent games

According to Marlon, the Cruzeiro squad will overcome the crisis experienced on the field.

“The message we leave to the fans is that, in the most difficult times, we will do everything possible. We may, perhaps or not, in the opinion of some, not be the best, but we are here to do the best for the club. Everyone here believes in Cruzeiro, in what is being done. No one will measure efforts to make things work out. Unfortunately, when things don’t work out, you take a lot of hits. Rowing against the tide is much more difficult”, he said.

Cruise in Brasileirão

After three rounds, Cruzeiro occupies 12th place in the Brasileirão table, with four points. Next opponent, Vitória opens the relegation zone, in 17th place, with one point gained.