In an exclusive interview with Betfair, five-time world champion Rivaldo opened up about the current state of Cruzeiro and the situation surrounding star player Gabigol, who found himself on the bench for the first time without stepping onto the field during the recent match against São Paulo.
Rivaldo, a Brazilian football icon and former Cruzeiro player, emphasized that the club has the talent necessary to turn their season around but highlighted the need for improved cohesion among the players. "Cruzeiro hasn’t hit its stride yet; the team has great players who just need to focus to turn this phase around," he stated. "Cruzeiro is a big club with an excellent roster, and they can still improve. There is still time to recover in the Sul-Americana, even after two losses, and in the Brasileirão, which is a long championship. They just need to get their game right and seek more synergy among the athletes," he added.
Currently, Cruzeiro is struggling, having suffered three defeats and drawn once in their last four matches, including a disappointing draw against São Paulo last weekend in the Campeonato Brasileiro. The team is looking for a resurgence as they prepare to face Bahia on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 21:30 at the Estádio do Mineirão.
Gabigol, who has been the top scorer for Cruzeiro this season with seven goals, did not see any playing time against São Paulo, a situation that was unprecedented since his arrival at the club. Rivaldo addressed this incident with a sense of understanding, noting, "He is a player who has always been successful wherever he has played, but the moment at Cruzeiro isn’t going well for him. His being on the bench is certainly not because he is bad, but we don’t know what happens in training day-to-day. These are things in football; sometimes you’re playing, and other times you’re on the bench. He is still a young player with plenty of potential ahead of him, and he has time to improve and will certainly help Cruzeiro this year."
Despite his current struggles, Gabigol has accumulated 853 minutes on the pitch for Cruzeiro in 2025, scoring seven goals: five in the Campeonato Mineiro, one in the Sul-Americana, and one in the Brasileirão. Rivaldo believes that Gabigol has the ability to bounce back, saying, "It all depends on him to turn things around in training, go after the ball, play with determination, and show that he is the Gabigol everyone knows. Now is the time to face challenges head-on and demonstrate what he can do in games and training to make a comeback."
The upcoming match against Bahia is particularly significant as it features two former Flamengo stars: Gabigol and Bahia's captain Everton Ribeiro. Both players were instrumental in Flamengo's recent successes, with Gabigol scoring 160 goals and providing 44 assists during his six years at the club, and Ribeiro contributing 46 goals and 61 assists over his six-year tenure.
Everton Ribeiro, who captains Bahia, reflected on the upcoming match, stating, "It will be a tough game; they have a qualified team on the other side. We need to be alert at all times, enter the game strong, and finish well to achieve victory. Regarding Gabi, he is a friend. We were victorious together, sharing many joys. Now, it will be a pleasure to meet him again, and I hope to come out on top in this reunion."
As the match approaches, the pressure is on Cruzeiro to deliver a strong performance and reassure their supporters. Having faced criticism for their recent form, the team managed to secure a draw against São Paulo, which was viewed as a positive outcome under the tactical adjustments made by coach Leonardo Jardim. The return of key players like Jonathan Jesus, who was suspended for the previous match, is expected to bolster the team’s chances.
Juan Dinenno, who has been recovering from a severe knee injury, is also back in training, and there is speculation that 16-year-old Kauã Prates could see some action following Marlon's departure from the club. Currently sitting mid-table with four points from three games, Cruzeiro is looking to climb up the standings, knowing that a victory could significantly improve their position.
Bahia, meanwhile, has drawn their first three matches in the Campeonato Brasileiro, including a recent match against Mirassol. They will be without key players Kanu, who is sidelined with a calf injury, and Luciano Rodríguez, who is dealing with muscle fatigue. The absence of these players could provide Cruzeiro with an opportunity to capitalize on Bahia's vulnerabilities.
The probable lineup for Cruzeiro features Cássio; William, Fabrício Bruno, Jonathan Jesus, and Kaiki Bruno; Lucas Romero, Lucas Silva, and Matheus Pereira; Wanderson (Kaio Jorge), Dudu, and Gabriel Barbosa. On the other hand, Bahia is expected to field Ronaldo; Santiago Arias (Gilberto); David Duarte, Ramos Mingo, and Luciano Juba; Caio Alexandre, Jean Lucas (Erick), and Everton Ribeiro; Cauly (Ademir), Erick Pulga, and Willian José.
As the match kicks off at 21:30, all eyes will be on the players to see if Cruzeiro can finally get back on track and whether Gabigol can reclaim his spot as a key player for the team. The anticipation builds as fans hope for a thrilling encounter that will revive Cruzeiro's fortunes in the league.
