Gabigol and Dudu are back! Cruzeiro goes all-in against Palestino in Sudamericana
Cruzeiro faces Palestino in a decisive Sudamericana match with a mixed lineup, key returns, and pressure to win after two setbacks.
Atacante Gabigol volta a ser titular do Cruzeiro depois de três partidas no banco (Foto: Marco Galvão/Cruzeiro)
Cruzeiro takes on Palestino this Thursday (24) in Chile for the third round of the Copa Sudamericana, under pressure to secure a win. After losing their first two matches, the Brazilian side must grab three points to keep their qualification hopes alive. The big news is the return of strikers Gabigol and Dudu to the starting eleven. Both had been benched for the last three matches and are now getting a fresh opportunity as coach Leonardo Jardim fields a mixed squad to rest players fatigued by a packed schedule.
Other lineup changes include the inclusion of young midfielder Murilo Rhikman and playmaker Rodriguinho. Lucas Romero will be playing out of position at right-back, while Matheus Pereira, Fagner, and William did not travel with the team. Cruzeiro’s confirmed starting XI: Cássio, Lucas Romero, Fabrício Bruno, Jonathan Jesus, and Kaiki; Walace, Murilo Rhikman, and Rodriguinho; Lautaro Diaz, Gabigol, and Dudu.
On the other side, Palestino hopes to keep momentum after a 2-0 home win over Unión de Santa Fé. The Chilean club sits second in Group E with three points, edging the Argentine side on goal difference. Coach Lucas Bovaglio's team will feature: Perez, Espinoza, Ceza, Suárez, and León; Martínez and Julian Fernández; Carrasco, Abrigo, and Benítez; Marabel.
To add more context, the group leader is Ecuadorian side Mushuc Runa, who have won all three of their matches so far, including a 3-0 win over Unión on Wednesday (23). They top the table with nine points and a strong hold on first place.
The match between Palestino and Cruzeiro will be held at Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso Stadium in Coquimbo, a venue that could mark a turning point for the Brazilian side in the tournament. Playing away adds pressure: Cruzeiro hasn't won a continental away match since 2019. The moderate altitude and heavy pitch conditions present additional challenges, according to the coaching staff.
This game is also particularly significant for Gabigol, who is aiming to score his first official goal in Cruzeiro's jersey. Internally, the club’s management is treating the Sudamericana as a top priority, seeing it as a valuable opportunity to return to international relevance after years of financial restructuring and instability.
On the Chilean side, Palestino is confident after a solid home win last round. Though they lack big-name players, their strength lies in teamwork and defensive consistency. Head coach Lucas Bovaglio emphasized in a press conference that “defeating Cruzeiro could be a turning point in our club’s project.”
Another factor that could impact the game is the weather: a cold night with strong winds is expected—typical of Chile’s coastal region. For Cruzeiro, quick adaptation will be crucial. Meanwhile, dozens of Cruzeiro fans greeted the team at Santiago Airport, showing passionate support even far from home.
Técnico Leonardo Jardim decidiu poupar jogadores diante do Palestino (Foto: Gustavo Aleixo/Cruzeiro)