Struggling Corinthians will face Cruzeiro in the Copa do Brasil final | OneFootball

Corinthians will meet Cruzeiro in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil on 10 October before the teams face off in the second leg a week later on the 17.

Despite making the final of the cup, Corinthians have earned just 10 points from their last 12 matches in Brasileiro Série A since the start of August.

As a result, the Timão are closer to the relegation zone, five points, than they are to the Copa Libertadores qualification places, ten points.

The club clearly prioritized Brazil’s national cup competitions but Corinthians are drifting dangerously close to the drop with only 10 matches left in the Série A season.

Corinthians were able to stem the tide and stop conceding goals under manager Jair Ventura until a big 3-0 loss to Flamengo in Matchday 28. Scoring goals has long been an issue for the Alvinegro, due in large part to playing without a true centre forward.

Ventura often lines his team up with two ball-winners and four attacking midfielders when Roger Rodrigues da Silva and Jonathas Cristian de Jesus aren’t in the starting lineup.

Their opponents in the two-legged cup final, Cruzeiro, are in a similar position in the league table. The Celeste have 37 points after 27 matches in the Série A.

The winners of the 2018 Copa do Brazil will qualify directly for the 2019 Copa Libertadores Group stage.

Corinthians kick-off against the defending cup champions Cruzeiro on Wednesday evening.