Atlético-MG Faces Tombense for Spot in Mineiro Final

Sete Lagoas, MG – Atlético Mineiro is set to face Tombense on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at 7 p.m. (local time) in the second leg of the Campeonato Mineiro semifinals at Arena do Jacaré. Following a 2-0 victory in the first leg, Atlético holds a significant advantage and can afford to lose by one goal to secure their place in the final.

Tombense must win by at least three goals to advance outright; otherwise, a two-goal victory would force the match into a penalty shootout. The stakes are high for both teams as they vie for a spot in the championship.

Having finished the first phase of the tournament in first place with 16 points, Tombense has trained rigorously all week, especially after their matchup against CSE-AL in the Copa do Brasil was postponed to Feb. 26. The club’s logistical decision to host the semifinals at Arena do Jacaré was based on financial considerations.

Meanwhile, Atlético has been in formidable form, demonstrating their dominance with a recent win against Tocantinópolis in the Copa do Brasil. Coach Cuca finalized the team’s preparations on Friday after overseeing two training sessions this week.

The Galo’s coach is expected to retain much of the squad that participated in the first leg, where defensive consistency was commendable in the first half despite allowing two crucial goals to Hulk. Recent performances indicate changes may be in the offing to improve the offense and capitalize on their advantageous position.

The probable lineups for the day are as follows: Tombense will likely field Matheus; Júlio Henrique, Roger Carvalho, Rony Fernandes, and Dudu Mandai; João Vítor, Fabrício Dias, and Pedro Oliveira; Jefferson Renan, João Pedro, and Douglas Coutinho.

On the other hand, Atlético-MG is expected to line up with Everson; Natanael, Lyanco, Junior Alonso, and Guilherme Arana; Alan Franco, Gabriel Menino, Gustavo Scarpa, and Rubens; with Cuello and Hulk up front.

As the match approaches, Tombense’s coach Raul Cabral grapples with injuries to key players, including Rony and Douglas Coutinho. This will undoubtedly challenge the team’s depth against a strong Atlético side, known for its resilience with only two goals conceded in the ongoing tournament.

“Every aspect counts in such decisive matches,” said Cabral. “We know we need to push hard, but the focus is on playing our game.”

In contrast, Atlético has proven to be a formidable opponent, not conceding a goal for 670 minutes across competitions, showcasing their defensive prowess. Coach Cuca remains tactical about his selections, weighing whether to introduce Rony to bolster the offensive strategy.

The match will be broadcast live on Premiere, allowing fans to engage with the high stakes of this semifinal showdown. As both teams prepare to clash, the anticipation builds over which squad will stand victorious and secure their shot at the Mineiro title.