Football Season Guide

Serie A
Brazil
Serie A
2018
Cruzeiro EC
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Cruzeiro EC

In


Fred (att) (Atletico Mineiro), Egidio (def) (Palmeiras), Bruno Silva (mid) (Botafogo), Marcelo Hermes (def) (Benfica – on loan), David Fonseca (att) (EC Vitoria), Edilson (def) (Gremio), Ferderico Mancuello (mid) (Flamengo), Patrick Brey (def) (Tupi)

Out


Ramon Abila (sp)(att) (Boca Juniors), Diogo Barbosa (r)(def) (Palmeiras), Georgemy (gk) (Tupi), Elber (r)(att) (EC Bahia), Thonny Anderson (mid) (Gremio – on loan), Alisson Castro (r)(mid) (Gremio), Bryan Garcia (sp)(def) (EC Vitoria – on loan), Rafael Galhardo (sp)(def) (Vasco Da Gama), Alex Apolinario (sp)(att) (Atletico Paranaense – on loan), John Lennon (sp)(def) (CSA), Judivan (sp)(att) (America FC – on loan), Nonoca (sp)(mid) (Sport Recife)

2014 champions Cruzeiro have failed to deliver after that morale-boosting title. The ambitions were there again at the start of 2015 and 2016, but two mid-table finishes didn't satisfy the fans at all. It all looked a bit brighter at the end of the last campaign though. Cruzeiro managed to claim the Copa do Brasil after a nail-biting final against Flamengo, and the fifth spot in the Serie A was quite decent as well. The Belo Horizonte outfit even came close to the first position at one stage. Manager Mano Menezes will face a tough task this season as the fans will expect more in 2018. The club did add well-known players like Fred, Egidio and Bruno Silva to the squad, but it remains to be seen if they will be able to push the performances to a higher level. Former international Fred produced twelve goals last season in the Atletico Mineiro shirt, but his fitness is still something to worry about. The 34-year-old striker isn't expected to play all the games this year, but his experience and goal scoring qualities could push this Cruzeiro team in the right direction.

Target


Cruzeiro produced a more than decent 2017 campaign and this side should be able to claim a top five classification again. Pushing for the title seems like a bridge too far, but this team could be one of the surprises if everything goes their way.