Pedro Daniel, chief executive of Atlético Mineiro, addressed the possibility of a Superclássico against Cruzeiro in the Copa do Brasil after both Minas Gerais clubs reached the tournament's quarterfinals.
The draw to set the next-round matchups is scheduled for Tuesday, August 11, at 11 a.m. Brasília time, at the headquarters of the Brazilian Football Confederation, CBF, in Rio de Janeiro. The pairing could send Atlético and Cruzeiro back into direct competition in the national cup.
Past meetings between the rivals
Atlético and Cruzeiro have a history of decisive Copa do Brasil duels. Last year the two clubs met in the quarterfinals, and Cruzeiro won on a 4-0 aggregate score.
In 2019 the same stage produced a similar outcome, with Cruzeiro again advancing, that time by a 3-2 aggregate. In 2014, however, the Superclássico decided the Copa do Brasil title itself, and Atlético came out on top, winning the final by a 3-0 aggregate.
How each club reached the quarterfinals
Atlético eliminated Ceará after a 3-3 draw on aggregate, advancing on penalties. The team then got past Juventude with a 1-0 aggregate scoreline.
Cruzeiro secured its quarterfinal spot by eliminating Goiás 3-2 on aggregate. In the following round, the Celeste side beat Chapecoense 2-0 across the two legs.
