Cruzeiro vs. Boca Juniors – News and Probable Lineups

Cruzeiro and Boca Juniors, two clubs with a rich history in continental competitions, will clash once again in the third round of the 2026 Copa Libertadores, reigniting their rivalry from two years ago. This Group D fixture is set to take place at Mineirão on Tuesday, April 28.

This matchup will mark the 17th time these teams have faced each other, with Boca Juniors having the upper hand historically, claiming seven victories compared to Cruzeiro’s five, and four matches ending in a draw. A standout moment in their rivalry occurred during the 1977 Libertadores final, where Boca emerged victorious in a penalty shootout 5-4 after the teams were tied over three matches.

Match overview

Since Artur Jorge’s appointment in early April, Cruzeiro has experienced a 63 percent win rate. The Portuguese head coach secured his fifth win at the helm last Saturday when the team triumphed over Remo at the Baenao, thanks to a lone goal from Keny Arroyo.

This victory marked the Raposa’s third consecutive win in the domestic league. With nine points accumulated in recent matches, they have elevated their total to 16 and moved out of the relegation zone, having scored five goals and conceded just one during this stretch. Confidence among supporters is gradually returning, a key objective set by the Portuguese manager following a difficult opening to the season.

Conversely, their campaign in the Libertadores hit a snag in the second round, leaving a sour taste for the Cabuloso. At home, they succumbed to Universidad Catolica in a 2-1 defeat, with the visitors scoring a decisive goal in injury time, which edged them ahead in the tiebreaker on head-to-head record.

In that match against the Chilean side, Cruzeiro struggled with converting their chances, having managed only six of their 16 attempts on target. Aiming to rectify their position in the group and secure the top spot, the team will rely on their recent home form.

In their last eight home matches, they have recorded five wins, two draws, and one defeat, with five of those games concluding without conceding a single goal. Artur Jorge emphasized the importance of collective effort in crafting a robust performance, despite his criticism regarding the pitch conditions at the Para venue.

In contrast to recent seasons, Boca Juniors are having a commendable campaign this year, reinstating lost confidence from previous seasons. After 18 matches, they have registered 10 wins, six draws, and two losses, scoring 27 goals while conceding only nine. This successful run has positioned them at the top of the league standings.

In the Torneo Apertura, the Xeneizes currently occupy second place in Group A with 27 points from 15 matches. They have secured a playoff spot and will host the quarter-finals at La Bombonera.

The week leading up to the clash with Cruzeiro has featured two significant results that have bolstered the team’s confidence. Last Sunday, April 19, they triumphed in the derby against River Plate, winning 1-0 with a goal by Leandro Paredes.

Then, on Thursday, April 23, they fielded a mostly reserve squad and annihilated Defensa y Justicia 4-0, a showing that highlighted the team’s strong collective ethos.

Team News

Cruzeiro is set for a boost as they prepare to host Boca on Tuesday. Notably, Fabricio Bruno, Lucas Silva, and Matheus Pereira are returning after serving suspensions for yellow card accumulations.

Fagner and Neyser Villarreal, both of whom were substituted due to discomfort, trained normally on Sunday and are anticipated to be included in the matchday squad. Manager Artur Jorge has a few players dealing with injuries: Cassio (multi-ligament knee injury) and Marquinhos (recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament).

Boca Juniors, meanwhile, head to Brazil with several key absences in their lineup. Most notably, Ander Herrera will be out for several weeks due to a grade-two thigh injury.

Additionally, goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin (cruciate ligament rupture), midfielder Battaglia (Achilles tendon surgery), Carlos Palacio (knee surgery), and Edinson Cavani (hernia) will also miss this fixture. After resting some key players against Defensa, the Xeneizes are set to return their first-choice starters to maintain their perfect record in the continental tournament.

Cruzeiro probable starting XI:

Matheus Cunha; Kaua Moraes (Fagner), Villalba, Fabricio Bruno, Kaiki; Gerson, Lucas Silva, Matheus Pereira; Christian, Arroyo, Kaio Jorge. Manager: Artur Jorge.

Boca Juniors probable starting XI:

Leandro Brey; Weigandt, Di Lollo, Ayrton Costa, Lautaro Costa; Santiago Ascacibar, Leandro Paredes, Milton Delgado, Tomas Aranda; Adam Bareira, Miguel Merentiel. Manager: Claudio Ubeda.

This contest attracts two teams with strong attacking capabilities, both showcasing impressive goal-scoring record in their latest matches. While Cruzeiro has found the net in each of their last eight fixtures, Boca Juniors have scored 11 goals over their last five games.

Our analysis indicates a tightly contested match ahead, with both sides possessing sufficient attacking prowess to create clear goal-scoring opportunities.