Cruzeiro and Atlético-MG Meet in Copa do Brasil Clash
Listen to the story
Cruzeiro will face rivals Atlético-MG in a match of the Copa do Brasil, one of the most important football competitions in Brazil. The game will take place at the Mineirão, the stadium in Belo Horizonte where Cruzeiro often plays its home matches.
The match is being called a clássico, since both clubs are from the same city and share a long history of competing against each other. Fans from both sides usually treat these matches as some of the most important of the season.
Before the game, a large group of Cruzeiro supporters gathered to welcome the team as it arrived at the stadium. The reception was described as a big celebration, showing how much importance fans place on this match.
On the Atlético-MG side, there was some difficult news. A midfielder who had recently recovered from an injury will not be available to play in the clássico. Although he is now healthy again, he will stay out of this particular game.
Ahead of the match, fans have been looking for practical information, including where they can watch the game on television or online, what time the kick-off is, and which players will start for each team, known as the starting line-ups.
The Copa do Brasil is a knockout competition, meaning that results in matches like this one can have a direct impact on which team continues in the tournament. Both Cruzeiro and Atlético-MG will be hoping for a strong result to move forward.
Vocabulary10 words
- Copa do Brasil
- a major football competition in Brazil
- Mineirão
- a large football stadium in Belo Horizonte
- clássico
- a match between two rival teams from the same area
- supporters
- people who support a sports team
- reception
- a welcome given to someone arriving somewhere
- midfielder
- a football player who plays in the middle area of the field
- injury
- physical harm or damage to the body
- kick-off
- the exact time a match begins
- starting line-ups
- the players chosen to begin the match for each team
- knockout
- a type of competition where losing teams are eliminated
Quiz
Answer key
1. Because both teams are from the same city 2. Cruzeiro fans gave the team a big welcome 3. He recovered from injury but will not play in this match
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Cruzeiro will face rivals Atlético-MG in a match of the _____.
The game will take place at the _____.
The match is being called a _____.
A large group of Cruzeiro _____ gathered to welcome the team.
The _____ was described as a big celebration.
A _____ who had recently recovered from an injury will not be available.
He is now healthy again, but he will stay out of this _____.
Fans have been looking for the _____ time.
They also want to know the _____ of both teams.
The Copa do Brasil is a _____ competition.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think fans give such a big welcome to their team before an important match?
- Do you think local rivalries, like clássicos, make football matches more exciting? Why?
- How important is it for a player to be fully fit before returning to a big match after an injury?
- What information do fans usually want before watching a football match?