Pedro Lourenço, majority shareholder of Cruzeiro’s SAF, rejects prioritizing competitions, aiming for victory in all challenges for the ‘Raposa’ in the second half of the season.
The second half of the season presents a true acid test for Cruzeiro. With important challenges in the Brazilian Championship, Copa do Brasil, and Copa Libertadores, the ‘Raposa’ is preparing for a marathon of decisive games. Amidst this scenario, a firm and passionate declaration from Pedro Lourenço, majority shareholder of the club’s Football Corporation (SAF), echoes behind the scenes: there will be no priority given to any single competition.
This stance by the Cruzeiro leader is a rallying cry, aligned with the philosophy of “Grit, Love, and Passion,” promising maximum effort in every contest. The objective is clear: “enter with the goal of winning” in all tournaments. This ambitious vision, which seeks to elevate Cruzeiro’s standing nationally and continentally, gains strength with the full backing of the technical staff led by Artur Jorge.
Forces United on the Field
Pedro Lourenço’s determination not to prioritize any competition is widely shared by the technical team. The executive assured that coach Artur Jorge has full freedom to “do what is necessary” in the daily routine and in player selections for games, ensuring that the term ‘priority’ is not part of the vocabulary at Toca da Raposa. The message is one of unity and total focus on each challenge.
Our technical staff treats all championships the same way. Our goal is to go as far as we can, not to prioritize A or B. All championships are equally important to us and to the technical staff. Our objective is singular: to play. We won’t have one team for one competition (different teams for different tournaments). The team is the same. The coach will do what’s necessary, but he won’t prioritize any competition. We will enter all of them with the objective of winning.
Pedro Lourenço, majority shareholder of Cruzeiro’s SAF, to TV Cruzeiro
The ‘Raposa’s’ Current Scenario
In the Brazilian Championship, Cruzeiro’s situation requires attention. Currently in 13th place with 24 points, the team seeks to distance itself from the relegation zone. Leader Palmeiras has 41 points, while last-place Chapecoense has nine. The goal is to consolidate a more consistent campaign in Serie A and ensure survival in the top flight of Brazilian football.
In the knockout competitions, the outlook is more promising. Cruzeiro has advanced to the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil, where they will face Chapecoense, and also to the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores, where they will face the powerhouse Flamengo. In both tournaments, the prospects of a potential title are higher, fueling the passion of the ‘celeste’ fanbase.
Immediate Challenges and Future Projection
Cruzeiro’s schedule for the coming weeks is intense and decisive. The return to the Brasileirão will be against Internacional on July 22nd at Beira-Rio Stadium. Following that, the team from Minas Gerais will host Botafogo at Mineirão Stadium and travel to face Coritiba. The Copa do Brasil round of 16 matches against Chapecoense are scheduled for early August, interspersed with Brasileirão commitments against Mirassol and Corinthians. The major Libertadores clash against Flamengo will take place on August 12th and 19th, promising great excitement.
This “no priorities” approach demonstrates Cruzeiro’s ambition to rewrite its recent history, seeking not only stability but also glory on all fronts. With Pedro Lourenço at the helm and Artur Jorge in charge of the technical command, the ‘Raposa’ vows to fight with grit and heart on every pitch, honoring the passion of its supporters and elevating the club’s name in Brazilian and South American football.
