Cruzeiro visits Pouso Alegre this Saturday (21), at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), at the Manduzão Stadium, in the South of Minas, in a match that opens the semi-finals of the Campeonato Mineiro. The return match will be the following Saturday (28), at the same time, at Mineirão.
Despite the pressure surrounding Tite’s work, the celestial team arrives as the owner of the State team, with 15 points. In eight games, there were five wins and three defeats.
It is worth noting that América also scored 15 points, but Cruzeiro had an advantage in the tiebreaker criteria based on the number of victories (5 to 4).
In turn, Pouso Alegre secured a place in the semifinals for having recorded the best performance among the runners-up. Dragão do Mandu had 13 points, with four wins, one draw and three defeats in the first phase.
Reunion between ‘student’ and ‘master’
In addition to the sporting aspect, the duel has a special ingredient on the sidelines of the field: Tite and Danilo, the teams’ coaches, have already enjoyed a relationship between commander and commander.
In the last decade, the duo made history at Corinthians, between 2011 and 2015. Together, the coach and the midfielder won important titles: the second Brazilian championship (2011 and 2015), the Copa Libertadores (2012), the Club World Cup (2012), the Recopa Sul-Americana (2013) and the Campeonato Paulista (2013).
Almost ten years later, they meet again, this time on opposite sides. Tite and Danilo already faced each other in 2026, in the first phase of the Campeonato Mineiro. Better for the former commander, than 2-1, at Mineirão.
How the Cruise arrives
Cruzeiro will have two important casualties in the attack: Kaio Jorge and Arroyo, starters, did not travel with the delegation for physical reasons. The center forward will be rested due to muscle wear, while the Ecuadorian suffered discomfort in his left knee and is also out.
On the other hand, Tite will have striker Bruno Rodrigues as an alternative. Cruzeiro’s new reinforcement, he was regularized this Thursday (19) and is ready to play. In addition to him, Néiser Villarreal and Kaique Kenji appear as options after recovering from injuries.
In midfield, Matheus Henrique is a confirmed absence. The steering wheel has been and will be suspended. As a result, the fight for a place should be between Lucas Silva, Christian and Lucas Romero — the last two started on the bench against Trovão Azul.
The right side is also an unknown. William and Fagner have been alternating between the starters at the start of the season, still without a solid name in the position. Finally, Argentine Lucas Villalba should be kept in the main team alongside Fabrício Bruno in defense.
How to get to Pouso Alegre
Champion of the interior and semifinalist of the Campeonato Mineiro for the first time in history, Pouso Alegre will face Cruzeiro for the second time in this State.
In an exclusive interview with Itatiaia this Thursday (19), coach Danilo Gabriel recalled the first duel between the teams, but considered that, now, it is a different reality.
“As I said, it was the first game of the championship. We played a great game. We know Cruzeiro’s strength. Now it’s different, it’s a decision. In that game they played with an alternative team, but regardless of that, it’s Cruzeiro. We can’t look at it that way. I’m sure that, in two games, things will be quite equal. Getting a good result here at home will be fundamental for us to pass”, he said.
Regarding the team, Dragão do Sul will not have defender Vanderley, suspended due to the accumulation of yellow cards. Ryan is the most likely to replace him.
The rest of the team must be the same that beat Uberlândia, 2-0, in the last round of the qualifying phase.
Cruzeiro lineup
A likely Cruzeiro to face Pouso Alegre could be: Cássio, William (Fagner), Fabrício Bruno, Lucas Villalba and Kaiki; Lucas Silva, Lucas Romero (Christian) and Matheus Pereira; Gerson, Wanderson (Bruno Rodrigues) and Néiser Villarreal. Coach: Tite
Pouso Alegre Lineup
A possible Pouso Alegre has: Thiago Braga; Vitor Araújo, Ryan, Xandão and Matheus Nunes; Magé, Pedro Arthur, Romário and Marcelo Cauã; Thiago Rubim and Gabriel Tota. Coach: Danilo Gabriel.
Pouso Alegre x Cruzeiro
- Reason: first game of the Minas Gerais Championship semi-final;
- Date and time: Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 6:30 pm (Brasília time);
- Location: Mandu Stadium (Manduzão), in Pouso Alegre-MG;
- Referee: André Luiz Skettino Policarpo Bento (MG);
- Assistants: Felipe Alan Costa de Oliveira (MG) and Bernardo de Souza Pádua (MG);
- Video referee – VAR: Emerson de Almeida Ferreira (MG);
- Where to watch: sportv, Premiere (subscription channels)
