Montillo evaluates Cruzeiro’s moment and Ronaldo’s management

Former Cruzeiro number 10 shirt, Walter Montillo assessed the moment of the celestial club. Despite Raposa’s failures in the 2024 season, the Argentine positively evaluated the SAF management led by Ronaldo Nazário.

“At the time Cruzeiro was relegated (in 2019), it had debts with the people who worked at the club, debts with the players, debts everywhere. When you have a club that is structurally in such bad shape, it is very difficult to do well in the sporting part. I believe that in football everything has to go hand in hand”, began Montillo, in an interview with the website Apostagolos.

“At the time (2022), I went to see the team when they were promoted (to Serie A) and I was delighted with the work Ronaldo was doing. He restructured the training center, got qualified professionals, and the managers were all up to date”, highlighted the celestial idol.

“I don’t think Cruzeiro needs restructuring that much. It is necessary to get the coach and the players who are and can arrive right. From there, find a way to work well, because what matters is achieving positive results within what is presented”, he concluded.

Cruise in 2024

Cruzeiro is coming off a third consecutive draw in the Copa Sudamericana – it was 0-0 with Unión La Calera, in Chile, this Tuesday. Raposa was in third place in Group B, with three points, and does not depend solely on its own strength to advance in the tournament.

Last Saturday (20/4), Raposa was beaten 3-0 by Atlético, at Arena MRV, in the third round of Series A of the Brazilian Championship.

Also this month, Cruzeiro was surpassed by its rival in the decision of the Campeonato Mineiro, with a 3-1 defeat, in a comeback, at Mineirão, saying goodbye to its chance at the title. The result cost coach Nicolás Larcamón his job, replaced by Fernando Seabra.

In the Copa do Brasil, the celestial club was eliminated in the first phase by the modest Sousa, from Paraíba.

Montillo at Cruzeiro

Former midfielder Walter Montillo had a spell at Cruzeiro between 2010 and 2012. The main offensive highlight since arriving at the club bought from Universidad de Chile, the former number 10 became an idol for the fans, but had a troubled exit to Santos at the beginning of 2013.

At the time, president Gilvan de Pinho Tavares was against the sale, but ended up accepting Santos’ offer of 10 million euros, of which Cruzeiro kept 60%. The remaining part belonged to two investors.

But the hammer fell on January 3, 2013, without Montillo even saying goodbye to the fans. In the negotiation, Cruzeiro also received back midfielder Henrique, who belonged to Santos and had played at Toca between 2008 and 2011.

For the celestial club, there were 122 games, 36 goals and 36 assists. Montillo helped the team become Brazilian runner-up in 2010 and Minas Gerais champion in 2011.