Atlético Mineiro and Cruzeiro meet at Arena MRV, in the city of Belo Horizonte, in Minas Gerais, for the 3rd round of the group stage of the Campeonato Mineiro. The duel will be played on the night of this Saturday, February 3, 20224, starting at 7:30 pm.
Atlético-MG
Rated with broad pre-game favoritism, Atlético Mineiro, led by coach Felipão, arrives for this classic with high confidence after being disenchanted during the season.
This is because Galo debuted with a bitter defeat to Patrocinense, away from home, with a tight score of 2-1 without being able to present their best football.
However, the black and white team showed quality in the second round, when they had the advantage of playing at home against Democrata-GV and came out on top by winning overwhelmingly by a score of 4-0.
In their 5 most recent clashes, there were 3 wins, no draws and only 2 defeats. During this period, they beat Democrata-GV, São Paulo and Flamengo, in addition to losing to Bahia and also to Patrocinense.
Currently, the club is in first place on the leaderboard of Group B of the Campeonato Mineiro, with 3 points achieved so far, having the same score as Villa Nova-MG, which is disadvantaged in goal difference.
Playing as home team, at Arena MRV, the Atlético-MG team recorded a recent campaign with 8 wins, no draws and only 2 defeats in the last 10 matches played.
Cruzeiro
While on the other side is the Cruzeiro team, which in turn managed to fulfill its main objective from the previous season by ensuring its permanence in the national elite and is now planning to start gaining strength in title disputes as well.
Rated as a strong candidate in the state, Raposa has not yet managed to present a performance as convincing as that of its opponent in the last round, considering that it debuted with a slim victory over Villa Nova by 2-1, complete with a saving goal in stoppage time. and, in the following duel, they had the advantage of playing at home against Athletic Club, but suffered a 1-1 draw amid another performance far below expectations.
Only 1 victory, 4 draws and no defeats were recorded in the last 5 official matches. During this period they beat Villa Nova, in addition to drawing with Botafogo, Athletico-PR, Palmeiras and also Athletic Club.
Currently the club is in second place in Group B, with 4 points achieved so far, having the same score as the leader.
As a visitor, Cruzeiro recorded a recent campaign with 5 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats in the last 10 matches played in this condition.
Conclusion:
Owner of a technically superior squad, Atlético Mineiro, current champion of Minas Gerais, has greater ambitions this season and also performed in excellent form in the most recent duel, qualifying them to leave the field victorious in this Saturday’s classic.