The Copa do Brasil semi-finals begin on Wednesday when Atletico Mineiro welcome Vasco da Gama to Arena MRV in the opening leg of that tie.
Earlier this month, Mineiro narrowly edged Sao Paulo, 1-0 on aggregate, to advance into this stage, while Cruzmaltino needed penalties to eliminate Athletico Paranaense (5-4).
Match preview
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Some solid defensive performances have carried Atletico Mineiro into the semi-finals of this competition for the first time since 2021.
Gabriel Milito's men have posted three successive clean sheets at the Copa do Brasil and are unbeaten at home in their last three competitive fixtures without a goal conceded over that span.
This will be their fourth appearance in the semi-finals of this tournament, with Atletico unbeaten in their three previous home matches at this stage of the competition.
All three of their Copa do Brasil victories this year occurred when they scored the opening goal, and they did not concede in any of those triumphs.
Since coming from behind to defeat Gremio in Brasileiro Serie A action earlier this month (3-2), this team have lost their last three competitive games when surrendering the opening goal.
Two of their last three Serie A home contests against Vasco ended in a victory for Galo, including a 2-0 win on matchday 18 this year, the first time the two sides met at Arena MRV.
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A goal in first-half stoppage time and some cold-blooded penalty-takers were enough to propel Vasco da Gama into the next stage of this tournament.
That means they are through to the semi-finals for the first time since 2011, when they lifted the trophy for the first and only time in their history.
In the previous round, the Rio-based club suffered their first Copa do Brasil defeat in normal time this year, while they have earned a pair of 1-1 results domestically as the visitors since then.
Rafael Paiva's men are currently on a four-match winless run across all competitions, with their only victory in normal time this month occurring in the Brazilian top-flight at the beginning of September against Vitoria (1-0).
Vasco da Gama have only won one opening-leg semi-final fixture at this tournament, defeating Coritiba 2-1 during their 2011 title-winning campaign.
Three of their last four meetings with Mineiro ended a victory for Cruzmaltino, with their last away victory against them occurring domestically at Mineirao in April 2023 (2-1).
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Team News
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In their domestic defeat versus Palmeiras last weekend (2-1), Mineiro were missing Alisson Santana and Renzo Saravia due to thigh discomfort, Otavio was sidelined with a sore shoulder and Matias Zaracho is out for the season after injuring his hernia.
Paulinho was not available on Saturday because of fatigue, while Bernard and Lyanco are questionable for this encounter with knee injuries.
A late goal by Rodrigo Battaglia in the opening leg of their quarter-final tie with Sao Paulo was enough to see them through to the next round, with Everson collecting three successive clean sheets in the competition.
Vasco could be without Paulinho Paula, Guilherme Estrella and David on Wednesday as they are all recovering from knee issues, while Adson is not expected to return from his broken leg until early November.
Mateus Carvalho is eligible to feature in this encounter despite being red-carded in their 1-1 draw versus Cruzeiro, but Rayan must sit out following a straight red card in their previous Copa do Brasil encounter against Atheltico.
The leading goalscorer in this competition, Pablo Vegetti, netted for the sixth time to send their match against El Paranaense into a shootout, where Leo Jardim stopped Agustin Canobbio from 12 yards away to help his side advance.
Atletico Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Everson; Saravia, Battaglia, Alonso; Scarpa, Franco, Bernard, Gomes, Arana; Hulk, Deyverson
Vasco da Gama possible starting lineup:
Jardim; Rodriguez, Maicon, Leo, Piton; Moura, Sforza; Coutinho, Payet, David; Vegetti
We say: Atletico Mineiro 1-0 Vasco da Gama
These sides are tied for points domestically this season (36), and we expect a close encounter on Wednesday, with the Mineiro backline holding strong and frustrating a talented Vasco squad.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
