Cruzeiro defeated São Paulo 1-0 at Mineirão in the Brazilian Championship, with coach Leonardo Jardim praising the victory as well-deserved despite a tough challenge from the visitors.
Jornada said the opening 45 minutes were Cruzeiro’s worst of the league campaign, intensified by São Paulo’s performance and compounded by Cruzeiro only having two days to recover after the Copa do Brasil win over Atlético-MG. He pointed out tactical slips, noting Henrique Matheus Henrique’s first start after knee surgery left him too open on the right side and without inner superiority. In the second half, Cruzeiro were much more competent even as São Paulo pressed higher, with three or four saves from the opposing goalkeeper and the home side showing more resolve. Jardim suggested Cruzeiro could have added another goal, just as São Paulo might have in the first half.
The manager described the result as fair, emphasizing the difficulty of facing a different São Paulo from earlier in the season. Crespo was congratulated for the performance, and Jardim highlighted that Cruzeiro have now taken four points from their encounters with São Paulo this season. He also noted the significance of the week, which saw Cruzeiro collect wins in multiple competitions and build momentum going into a busy period.
After the match, Jardim said the team deserved the victory and that the squad would enjoy a day off before resuming training on Wednesday at Toca da Raposa. The next game for Cruzeiro is on the 11th, against Atlético-MG at Mineirão, in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals.
Additional value and context:
– The win adds to Cruzeiro’s recent strong spell, reinforcing confidence as they navigate a demanding schedule that includes state and national competitions.
– Henrique Matheus Henrique’s adaptation will be a focal point, given his return from knee surgery and the need to balance competitive intensity with recovery.
– A potential area for improvement is maintaining the second-half level of organization and pressing without exposing gaps in transition.
Summary: Cruzeiro’s 1-0 victory over São Paulo underscores a phase of strong form and strategic growth under Jardim, delivering three wins in a row across competitions and setting up a high-stakes Copa do Brasil quarterfinal against rivals Atlético-MG. A hopeful note for fans is the momentum built through a week that showcased resilience, tactical adjustments, and collective effort.