Barcelona SC vs Cruzeiro Preview: Prediction, Team News, and Lineups
Cruzeiro return to Copa Libertadores action against Barcelona SC at the Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha on Tuesday night. The fixture opens Group D, which also contains Boca Juniors and Universidad Católica. A positive result will be crucial for both clubs.
Context and stakes
Barcelona reached the group stage via two qualifying rounds. They eliminated Argentinos Juniors and then beat Botafogo 2-1 on aggregate in March.
The Ecuadorians failed to progress from their group last season. Former coach Segundo Castillo presided over a last-place finish in Group B.
Barcelona SC form and outlook
César Farías is the club’s head coach this season. He has been tasked with steering the team back to the knockout phases.
In domestic play, Barcelona have three wins and three draws from seven LigaPro matches. They sit third on 12 points, level with Universidad Católica.
Their most recent game was a 2-0 victory over LDU at the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado. Héctor Villalba and Jhonny Quiñónez scored in that win.
Style and selection
Farías has used a 3-5-2 setup for much of the campaign. The coach is expected to pick an unchanged side after the weekend win.
Dario Benedetto and Luis Cano have formed the main strike partnership. Left winger João Rojas is a fitness concern and will be reassessed.
Cruzeiro form and issues
Cruzeiro return to the Libertadores for the first time since 2019. That year they won five of six group-stage games but exited in the round of 16 to River Plate.
Domestically, the club have struggled. They lost 4-1 to São Paulo at the weekend, their fifth league defeat so far this season.
New head coach Artur Jorge is preparing for his second competitive match. Cruzeiro have recorded one win in their last six matches.
Squad availability
Key injuries affect the side. Goalkeeper Cássio will miss the rest of the year with a severe ligament problem.
Marquinhos and Luis Sinisterra are also sidelined. Lucas Romero is doubtful after missing the São Paulo game with a thigh issue.
Since the start of the year, Cruzeiro have played 21 matches across competitions. They won nine, lost eight, scored 30 goals, and conceded 28.
Head-to-head and historical notes
This will be the first-ever meeting between Barcelona SC and Cruzeiro. Cruzeiro have lost nine of their last 16 games against Ecuadorian opponents.
Team News and Lineups
This Barcelona SC vs Cruzeiro Preview: Prediction, Team News, and Lineups outlines likely starters and injury notes. Lineups remain subject to change before kickoff.
| Barcelona SC (probable) | Cruzeiro (probable) |
|---|---|
| Contreras; Carabalí, Rangel, Báez, Sosa, Vallecilla; Celiz, Lugo, Quiñónez; Cano, Benedetto | Cunha; William, Bruno, Villalba, Kaiky; Henrique, Gerson; Arroyo, Pereira, Christian; Jorge |
- Formation: Barcelona expected to line up 3-5-2.
- Key Barça duo: Dario Benedetto and Luis Cano.
- Cruzeiro missing goalkeeper Cássio for the year.
Prediction
Barcelona have been hard to break down recently. They conceded an average of 0.4 goals across their last ten matches.
Cruzeiro are inconsistent under Artur Jorge and lack several first-team players. Filmogaz.com expects a tight game and predicts a 1-1 draw.
