Cruzeiro vs Flamengo Prediction: The Vulture faces the Fox in Tite's debut

This match is eagerly awaited as former Brazil coach Tite will make his debut in charge of Flamengo. The Vulture's millions of fans hope the arrival of the renowned coach will improve the quality of the team's football, as they are used to an attacking game, something they didn't see with Jorge Sampaoli. The home team, Cruzeiro, will be on the other side of the pitch - they have shockingly yet to win at the Mineirão in 2023. The Fox has also used other stadiums to host its opponents, but it's still a pretty poor record. Tite's arrival can positively impact Flamengo's players, given that the atmosphere in the team under Sampaoli wasn't the best.

The Mineiros drew their last game, leaving Cuiabá with a clean sheet. After the departure of coach Pepa, the team has maintained its defensive solidity. The Fox has the third-best defense in the league, with only 22 goals conceded. Zé Ricardo, the current coach, has taken advantage of the defensive dynamics the team already had but has yet to improve the attacking process. Cruzeiro sees the relegation line getting closer as the gap to Z4 is now just four points. This meeting with Tite's Flamengo doesn't seem to be the ideal game to get a first win in the Mineirão, but in football, anything is possible.

Tite arrives at Flamengo with the team in fifth place, 11 points off first place. No one is asking the former national coach to win the title this year, but the Vulture's demanding fans expect the team to play with an attractive style and qualify for the Copa Libertadores. It's a club that needs victories, and that's what the Cariocas will be looking to do in Belo Horizonte. The players will certainly want to impress the new boss to grab a place in the starting eleven.

In theory, Tite's arrival will boost the Cariocas' game. There is no shortage of talent in the Scarlet-Black squad, and to contrast with the tense atmosphere under Sampaoli and his staff, the Brazilian coach will bring peace to training sessions. The players should be more relaxed, motivated, and confident in the short term. I'm backing Flamengo to win on Tite's debut.