Leonardo Jardim‘s Flamengo visits Cruzeiro at the Mineirão looking to extend their unbeaten streak in the 2026 Libertadores and build an advantage in the tournament’s round of 16.
Flamengo arrives in Belo Horizonte this Wednesday (12) with the mission to maintain their momentum in the Copa Libertadores. Under Leonardo Jardim‘s command, the Rubro-Negro boasts a solid campaign and remains undefeated in the group stage, carrying favoritism into the first leg of the round of 16 against Cruzeiro at the Mineirão.
The Rio de Janeiro-based team enters the match with impressive numbers: five wins and just one draw in six games. Their on-field performance, which included solid displays against Cusco, Independiente Medellín, and the traditional Estudiantes, has solidified the squad as one of the title contenders. Now, the challenge is to translate this positive momentum into a real advantage before the decisive second leg in Rio de Janeiro.
Leonardo Jardim’s Strategy
For the 9:30 PM (Brasília time) clash, the expectation is that the coach will maintain the offensive posture that has been the team’s trademark this season. The focus is on leveraging the defensive solidity that secured crucial away points during the previous stage, taking advantage of the crowd’s pressure to control the game’s rhythm from the opening minutes.
The team stated:
The team is prepared for the knockout challenges, maintaining full focus on preserving our unbeaten record and pursuing qualification against a qualified opponent.
Path to the Quarterfinals
The return leg is already scheduled for August 19th at the Maracanã stadium. Until then, Flamengo hopes to bring home a result that guarantees a comfortable position for defining qualification. The Rubro-Negro fanbase will follow the match with broadcast coverage from Rede Globo, while the M360 Team will bring all the details of the on-site coverage directly from the capital of Minas Gerais.
The series against the team from Minas Gerais is seen as a maturity test for Leonardo Jardim‘s project. Overcoming Cruzeiro on their home turf would not only be a significant step towards the quarterfinals but also a necessary demonstration of strength for those aiming to conquer South America in 2026.
