With the Libertadores final approaching, Cruzeiro fans organized a mobilization at the airport, directing messages of support to the players and taunts at coach Leonardo Jardim.
The atmosphere of a true Copa Libertadores final is already taking over the backstage of the clash between Flamengo and Cruzeiro. The two Brazilian football powerhouses are preparing for the second and decisive leg of the round of 16 this Wednesday, a duel that decides a spot among the top eight in South America. The legendary Maracanã stadium will host the match, and an electrifying game is expected after the draw in the first leg.
However, the rivalry has already flared up even before kickoff. Fans of the Minas Gerais team staged a significant demonstration of support for their athletes at Confins airport, in Minas Gerais, before the delegation boarded their flight to Rio de Janeiro. The mobilization, which aimed to give the players a final boost, was also marked by direct taunts at Leonardo Jardim, the current Flamengo coach, turning the duel into something beyond the 90 minutes on the field.
Passionate Support and Direct Message
The passion of Cruzeiro fans was evident with the gathering at Confins airport last Tuesday, just hours before their flight to Rio de Janeiro. Hundreds of Cruzeiro supporters met to greet the athletes and convey confidence for the crucial match. Amidst chants and banners, one of the most echoed cries was directed at the opposing coach.
“We are going to eliminate Jardim and we will be champions,” a fan shouted, demonstrating the mix of optimism and rivalry surrounding the match. The demonstration also included taunts towards rivals Atlético-MG, intensifying the atmosphere for the decisive game.
The Old Grudge with Leonardo Jardim
The Celeste fans’ fixation on Leonardo Jardim is not new and has its roots in the coach’s previous stint with Cruzeiro itself last season. Jardim‘s experience in Belo Horizonte left “a certain bitterness” among the fans, who have since turned him into a target for protests and insults in past encounters against Flamengo. In previous duels, the rivalry escalated to unusual manifestations, with the distribution of counterfeit money featuring the coach’s face in the stands of the Mineirão stadium.
The Rubro-Negro Coach’s Response
When asked about the constant criticism and taunts from the Cruzeiro fans, Leonardo Jardim spoke out after the teams’ last meeting at Mineirão. The Flamengo coach addressed the issue from the perspective that the episode is part of the rivalry, but also expressed a certain misunderstanding about the origin of so much hostility, reaffirming that his focus is on the spectacle of football.
“For me, it’s motivating to come to Mineirão again. A home and a crowd that I know very well. Honestly, I don’t understand why so much hatred sometimes, when things were very clear… But okay, I accept it. It’s better to speak ill of Jardim than to accept the truth. But at this moment, the spectacle is the most important thing,” the coach stated.
The Decisive Scenario at Maracanã
On the field, the 1-1 draw in the first leg, with goals from Arroyo for Cruzeiro and Lucas Paquetá for Flamengo, left the contest completely open. Wednesday’s match (19th), at 9:30 PM (Brasília time), at the Maracanã, will be a true premature final for both teams. The winner will advance directly to the quarter-finals of the Libertadores. In case of another draw, the decision will go to the dreaded penalty shootout, further raising the drama of the night in Rio de Janeiro.
The historic rivalry between Flamengo and Cruzeiro, coupled with the tournament’s importance and the storyline involving Leonardo Jardim, promises an electrifying spectacle at the Maracanã. Wednesday’s match is not just a football game, but a chapter filled with emotions, expectations, and the relentless pursuit of continental glory. The winner will take a giant step in the Copa Libertadores, while the loser will see their dream postponed, making every play decisive on the Rio night.
RELATED NEWS
Artur Jorge highlights physical fatigue at Cruzeiro ahead of Libertadores clash with Flamengo
READ MORE
Bruno Henrique trains and bolsters Flamengo for decisive clash against Cruzeiro in Libertadores
READ MORE
Leonardo Jardim sets Flamengo’s lineup for Libertadores showdown against Cruzeiro
READ MORE
