(photo: Gustavo Aleixo/Cruzeiro)
O Cruise reported this Friday (12/12) that the defender Lucas Villalba He underwent tests, which diagnosed ligament damage in his left ankle. As a result, the Argentine defender is out of the second leg of the Copa do Brasil semi-final against Corinthians.
According to Cruzeiro, “the indication for the case is conservative treatment, without the need for surgical intervention, starting immediately at the Cruzeiro health and performance department”.
Villalba began to feel pain in the final stretch of the first half of the duel against the São Paulo team, last Wednesday (10), at Mineirão. In the 36th minute, striker Yuri Alberto fought for the ball with defender Fabrício Bruno and, as a result, fell onto the Argentine’s left leg.
The defender still remained on the field in pain, but was replaced by Jonathan Jesus at half-time. After the game, coach Leonardo Jardim explained why he did not remove Villalba immediately.
“The doctor was there, and the player said he wanted to try. And then we gave those four or five minutes to see if he was really okay. At halftime, however, we assessed that he really wasn’t (in a position to continue)”, said Jardim.
Lucas Villalba’s natural replacement for the return game is Jonathan Jesus.
Corinthians x Cruzeiro
With the defeat at Gigante da Pampulha, Cruzeiro needs to win in the second leg. See the possible scenarios:
- If Raposa wins by the difference of one goal, the decision will be taken to penalties.
- If they win by two or more goals difference, the Minas Gerais team advances directly to the final.
- Any draw or celestial defeat guarantees a place in the final for Timão.
The return match will be played next Sunday (12/14), starting at 6pm, at the Neo Química Arena, in São Paulo. The qualified team will face Vasco or Fluminense in the final of the Copa do Brasil.
